ANA and Coalition Forces clear Helmand River area of Taliban

CJTF-82 ^ | June 29, 2007 | Combined Joint Task Force- 82

[mdittmar]

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Elements of the 205^th Afghan National Army Corps, advised by Coalition Forces, began a new operation to clear the Taliban on the western bank of the Helmand River, Helmand Province today.

ANA and Coalition Forces were in the process of clearing the river area when an enemy mortar crew started firing at their position.  After determining where the enemy was firing from, Coalition close air support was called in and destroyed the mortar firing position, killing several enemy combatants. 

In a separate engagement during this operation, enemy forces attempted to ambush the ANA and Coalition Forces with small arms and RPG fire.  ANA and Coalition Forces returned fire killing numerous enemy fighters.

Several compounds were cleared of enemy fighters in the first 12 hours of the operation.  More than a dozen Taliban were killed.  No civilians have been reported killed during the operation.

“The residents of the Helmand Province should be able to enjoy the same freedoms that most of the world enjoys on a daily basis; freedom from oppression, freedom to receive an education and freedom to live in a safe Afghanistan,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force- 82 spokesperson.  “These are some of the freedoms that most of us take for granted.  This operation in the Helmand Province is one more step toward achieving those freedoms.”