U.S.-led military kills dozen insurgents, detains 2 in Afghanistan

Jul 01, 2008 07:46:10

KABUL, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led Coalition forces have killed over a dozen insurgents in response to an attack in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan and detained two militants in central province Ghazni, the Coalition said Wednesday. While approaching Putay town of Helmand for humanitarian assistance, "a vehicle in the Coalition convoy struck an IED," the U.S.-led military said, adding "Coalition forces immediately began vehicle-recovery operations, but the convoy was ambushed by insurgents using small-arms fire. During the fighting, another Coalition vehicle struck a mine." The force used precision air strikes against the insurgents after the rebels were seen entering homes in an attempt to use them as fighting positions, causing residents to flee, according to the military. The Coalition forces then ensured that there were no women or children in the area before launching precision strikes, it added. In another anti-insurgent operation, the Coalition forces searched several compounds in Andar District of Ghazni and detained two militants. Besides fighting militants, the U.S.-led Coalition also conducted missions concerning training police and helping with local reconstruction. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/04/ content_8312284.htm