Press Release

United States Forces-Afghanistan

March 15, 2009                                                      

Release Number 20091503-02c

Five militants killed, three detained in southern Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan Special Operations Forces and Coalition Forces killed five militants and detained four suspected militants early March 15 in operations in Kandahar Provinces to disrupt al Qaida and foreign fighter facilitation networks operating in southern Afghanistan.

In Maywand District, Kandahar Province, approximately 60 km west of Kandahar, Afghan Special Operations Forces and Coalition forces conducted a complex operation to disrupt a foreign fighter and weapons facilitation network operating in western Kandahar.  When the combined force arrived at the targeted location, they called out for all non-combatants to peacefully exit the buildings.  Five militants who maneuvered on the force were killed during the operation.  Several buildings were cleared without incident and three suspected militants were detained.

Nineteen women and 38 children were protected.

The operation is ongoing.

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United States Forces Afghanistan's mission, in coordination with NATO's International Security Assistance Force, is to conduct operations to defeat terrorist networks and insurgents by developing effective governance and building the Afghan National Security Force.  Effective security throughout the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan facilitates continued regional stability and increases economic development for the people of Afghanistan.

Contact Information - US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs Office

Primary: Tel +93 (0) 799 51 2919

Alternate:  Tel +93 (0) 707 355 965

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