NATO forces kill 17 militants in northeastern Afghanistan

[News_Editor]

NATO forces kill 17 militants in northeastern Afghanistan

2011-04-21 02:45:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- Afghan and coalition forces on Tuesday night killed 17 insurgents and detained one suspect during an operation in northeastern Afghanistan, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Wednesday.

ISAF said that the security operation was targeting an al-Qaeda senior leader who is suspected of commanding attacks in Dangam district, Kunar province. Among the casualties there were foreign fighters.

As coalition troops approached the area, three armed men attempted to ambush them but were gunned down by an air weapons team. Security forces surrounded two compounds and called on insurgents to surrender without violence.

The calls were ignored and the suspected al-Qaeda militants drew guns at the Afghan and coalition forces. In the gun battle, at least 17 militants were killed as security forces responded gunshots in self defense.

During the clearance of a third compound, another group of three armed individuals shot at coalition troops. The security forces returned fire, killing the insurgent and two women he used as human shields.

At the last set of buildings, multiple armed individuals were on the inside, two of them barricaded in a room. Security forces stroked the facility and in the fire exchange, seven militants were killed. No coalition or Afghan casualties were reported.

As Afghan and coalition forces were leaving the area, four armed insurgents moved to attack them but an air team shot and killed them all. ISAF added that 24 women and 65 children were in the area and protected during the operation.

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