TWO TERRORISTS KILLED, 17 SUSPECTS DETAINED IN RAIDS

Coalition Forces killed two terrorist and detained 17 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq Thursday morning.South of Haditha, Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained four others while targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell. During the operation, ground forces encountered two armed terrorists when they entered a targeted building. Self defense measures were used to eliminate the threat. During operations northwest of Karmah, Coalition Forces captured four suspected terrorists with alleged involvement in vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations. Also, during several operations overnight in Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured nine suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq. "Coalition Forces will continue deliberate and methodical operations in order to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

TALIBAN OVERWHELMED BY ANA, COALITION FORCES IN ZABUL PROVINCE
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan
2nd Kandak, 205th Afghan National Army Corps and Coalition forces, interdicted Taliban fighters 50 kilometers northeast of Qalat on Highway 1, Zabul Province, in the early morning hours of April 12. The combined force identified a large group of Taliban fighters on a ridgeline near a cave site and then proceeded to destroy the enemy position – killing 16 enemy fighters with Coalition close air support. Several enemy fighters retreated from the Coalition air strike, using motorcycles to evade advancing ANA and Coalition Soldiers. ANA and Coalition forces tracked the Taliban fighters to another cave site and requested Coalition aircraft to engage and destroy the position. As a result of the fighting, 24 enemy fighters were killed, 14 motorcycles and two cave sites were destroyed. One weapons cache was also recovered during a subsequent search of the caves. There were no Afghan civilian injuries reported. “Taliban fighters and other militant forces are fighting a losing battle,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force- 82 spokesperson. “The skill and persistence of ANA and Coalition Forces will triumph over the enemies of Afghanistan.”


IRAQI SECURITY FORCES CONDUCT CORDON AND SEARCH IN DIWANIYAH
KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi security forces conducted a cordon and search against suspected insurgents in Diwaniyah April 11. This search was an intelligence-driven, precision operation searching for a known terrorist believed to be in an office belonging to the Organization of the Martyr Sadr. Coalition force soldiers provided security outside the office as Iraqi troops entered the office and began their search for the terrorist suspect and weapons. Once inside, the Iraqi troops found hand grenades, multiple identification cards, improvised explosive device-making materials, anti-government propaganda, photos of wounded soldiers and battle-damaged vehicles, and a low-power transmitting station. In accordance with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s directive given in a recent speech, any buildings, including those used by political parties, that are being used for criminal or illegal purposes may be entered and searched. In addition, when these sites are used for criminal or terrorist activities, they lose any protective they may have under international law.