Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces killed numerous insurgents protecting a Taliban transnational shipment and storage site in the Barham Chah Bazaar, in Reg-e Khan Neshin District, Helmand province, Oct. 30-31.
The joint security force, upon arriving at the suspected Taliban logistical hub, was immediately engaged with small-arms fire from several insurgent positions. Heavy fighting ensued as numerous small-arms weapons and improvised explosive devices were used against the joint security force by the insurgents. The joint security force engaged the insurgents using coordinated ground and air assets to advance and clear the positions in and around the bazaar.
Throughout the day, night and into the next morning, the joint security force cleared the bazaar and surrounding areas, meeting pockets of armed insurgent resistance and numerous IED’s that were protecting the bazaar. When the bazaar was cleared, more than 15 insurgents were killed and accounted for. Numerous other dead and wounded insurgents were taken away from insurgent firing positions prior to ANSF and ISAF securing the vacated insurgent positions.
A homemade explosive factory with approximately 23.7 metric tons of ammonium nitrate was found in the bazaar. Also found were numerous artillery shells, 60 cases of .50-caliber machine-gun ammunition, 18 pressure plate and four pressure cooker IED’s, 500 liters of acid, 40kg of opium, 2,000kg of precursor chemicals, and numerous automatic weapons and assorted ammunition.
All weapons, explosives, IED’s narcotics, chemicals, and insurgent paraphernalia were destroyed on site.
“The destruction of this insurgent material will have an immediate impact for the people of Helmand province,” said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Combined Joint Operations Center director. “The destruction of the homemade explosive material alone equates to potentially more than 2,000 IEDs that will not be used against Afghan citizens and their security forces.”
Article by ISAF Joint Command