RELEASE NUMBER: 071030-03
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 30, 2007

ANSF, Coalition forces kill several Taliban fighters in Oruzgan Province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Courtesy of CJTF-82 Public Affairs, Oct. 30, 2007) – Afghan National Security and Coalition forces killed several Taliban fighters, and captured three additional insurgents near Tarin Kowt village, Oruzgan Province today.

The combined force was conducting a reconnaissance patrol when Taliban fighters engaged them with small-arms fire.  ANSF and Coalition forces returned accurate small-arms and machine gun fire, quickly putting the enemy on the defensive.  The insurgents attempted to break contact and moved into a nearby compound.

The insurgents reengaged friendly elements with large volume of small-arms fire. The ANSF and Coalition forces patrol employed effective small-arms and close air support, killing several Taliban insurgents and wounding three others during the engagement.  The three wounded fighters were treated by Coalition medics and turned over to the ANSF.

All fires were controlled by a Coalition force Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) during this engagement.

“This is an excellent example of the ANSF and Coalition forces routing the enemy and protecting Afghan citizens,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Forces-82 spokesman.  “The enemy tried to hide behind innocent civilians, but the ANSF and Coalition forces took extensive precautions to avoid injuring non-combatants and prevent the insurgents from committing future atrocities.”

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