Explosion Kills Afghan Interpreter, Wounds Two GIs

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sep 16, 2005 | unattributed

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2005 – An Afghan interpreter was killed and two U.S. servicemembers were wounded Sept. 15 when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, military officials announced today. Both servicemembers were taken to Kandahar Airfield and were reported to be in stable condition.

The unit was conducting combat patrols in the area to disrupt the enemy operations aimed at affecting the upcoming elections, officials said.

"We send our deepest condolences out to the family and friends or our fallen Afghan friend," said Army Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara, Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman. "He died trying to make Afghanistan a better, safer place for his people. Coalition forces will continue alongside Afghan forces to pursue the enemy attempting to disrupt the future of Afghanistan."

In other news from Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces found three roadside bombs Sept. 15 in southern Afghanistan while conducting offensive operations to ensure safe elections, officials said.

Afghan National Police discovered one bomb northwest of Kandahar. It was fashioned from an artillery shell and wires. An Afghan citizen reported the location of a bomb to police in Khowst. It was found under a bridge, and consisted of an anti-tank mine with wires, an antenna and a battery. The 864th Engineer Battalion discovered the third bomb southwest of Tarin Kowt in Kandahar province. They recovered and destroyed the device.

(From a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release.)