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View Full Version : May 24., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Evening Operational Update



SgtJim
05-25-2011, 04:57 PM
10806
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2011-05-S-088
For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 24, 2011) – A combined Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Force operation seized a sizeable amount of weapons and narcotics in Washer district, Helmand province yesterday.

The combined force found 132 pounds (60 kilograms) of wet opium, 176 pounds (80 kgs) of ammonium nitrate, six mortar rounds, two rocket-propelled grenades, one 107 mm round, one anti-tank mine, one pressure-plate, one AK-47 rifle, one pistol, assorted small arms ammunition and improvised explosive device components.

The narcotics and weapons were safely destroyed on site.

In other ISAF news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A combined Afghan and coalition force seized several compounds containing illegal drugs and killed three insurgent fighters during a combined operation in the Kajaki district, Helmand province yesterday.

The operation was intended to disrupt the illegal drug trade and insurgent activity in the region, according to a coalition team leader.

One of the objectives, an opium refinery, served a dual purpose for the insurgents in the area, according to coalition officials. A coalition team leader said sales from opium helped finance Taliban operations, and drug facilities in the area that have historically served as a staging location for insurgent activity.

Upon insertion and throughout the mission, the combined force was engaged with small-arms fire from insurgents. The team leader said the combined force pushed the insurgents out of the district, and searched a series of facilities for drugs and other illegal substances.

“The illicit production of opium throughout the country is a heavily targeted objective by the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and eliminating this threat is vital to long-term security, governance and effective development of Afghanistan,” said a GIRoA official. “We are building our government capacity to enhance security, and combat the drug trade that supports insurgency and promotes crime and corruption.”

“We are all working together to combat the enemy in the most effective way possible to finish the war against the insurgents,” said Col. Nader, 1st Commando Brigade executive officer. “We strive to bring peace to the Afghan people, and won’t stop until our country is where we want it to be.”

No civilian casualties or property damage was reported during the operation.

In Shahid-e-Hasas district, Uruzgan province, an Afghan and coalition force discovered a weapons cache today.

The cache consisted of one rocket propelled grenade launcher, one PKM machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, one pistol,15 RPG rounds, one recoilless rifle round, several small arms rounds, two anti-personnel mines, one grenade, different IED materials, 13 RPG propellants, four chest rigs and one GPS.

The weapons were destroyed by security forces.

An Afghan and coalition force discovered a drug cache in Maiwand district, Kandahar province today.

The cache consisted of 441 pounds (200 kgs) of hashish.

All the drugs were detained by security forces.

East

A combined Afghan and coalition force operation seized a sizeable amount of weapons in Maidan Shar district, Wardak province yesterday.

The combined force seized nine grenades, eight 66 mm mortar rounds, one 82 mm mortar round, one 73 mm recoilless rifle round, two rifles, one machine gun and assorted ammunition.

The weapons were safely destroyed on site.