An Afghan-international force interdicted three vehicles in three separate engagements, resulting in more than 10 militants killed while pursuing a Taliban commander in Helmand province yesterday. The joint force was sent to a rural area in the Washir District after intelligence information revealed militants were in several vehicles. One of the vehicles drove away and attempted to elude the assault force. As the combined force attempted to stop it, weapons were pointed at the coalition force through the open car windows.

The clearing phase of operation Moshtarak continued yesterday. The combined force continues to face sporadic fire fights. The combined forces have incurred casualties. A press conference held yesterday in Lashkar Gah included General Abdul Rahim Wardak, minister of Defense; Mohammed Hanif Atmar, minister of Interior; Mohammed Gulab Mangal, governor of Helmand province; Brig. Gen. Sher Mohammad Zazai, ANA 205 Corps commander; and General Stanley McChrystal, ISAF commander. Gen.

An Afghan-international security force stopped an individual in Kandahar's Panjwayee district near Chalghur after intelligence information indicated militant activity and detained him for further questioning. In Logar last night, a joint security force searched a compound near the town of Kandwalah, in the Mohammad Agha district after intelligence information indicated militant activity.

The Interior Ministry and the International Security Assistance Force are conducting a joint investigation in the incident in Paktiya province in the Gardez district near the village of Khatabeh today. A joint Afghan-international security force found the bound and gagged bodies of two women and dead bodies of two men in a compound during an operation last night. "ISAF continually works with our Afghan partners to fight criminals and terrorists who do not care about the life of civilians.

Coalition forces, volunteers and Afghan doctors are working to render medical care and assistance in the wake of a series of avalanches that struck a high pass in Afghanistan's Parwan province Feb.

An Afghan-international joint force searched a compound outside the village of Robat, in the Wali Mohammad Shaheed District of Ghazni province after intelligence information indicated militant activity. During the search the combined force captured a Taliban commander, with connections to several other militant network leaders, and another suspected insurgent. An Afghan-international joint force stopped a vehicle in north Helmand's Washer District near Shah Mirza Kariz after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity.