Tuesday, August 23, 2011 – According to local authorities in southern Afghanistan, at least 13 militant insurgents including one of their commanders were killed following joint operations by Afghan and NATO-led International forces in southern Helmand province.
Provincial spokesman, Dawood Ahmadi said, the operation was launched by Afghan and NATO forces in Nowzad district of Helmand province two days ago, to clear it of militants in which Mullah Motasam, a militant commander and 12 others were killed.
Mr. Ahmadi further added, at least 30 Afghan civilians who were kidnapped by these men have been freed in the operation.
Insurgent activities have been witnessed in some parts of Nowzad district, militants normally use Improvised Explosive Devices to target Afghan and foreign forces’ convoys. But civilians are often the main victims.
The operation by Afghan and Nato forces comes as foreign forces have started security transition to Afghan forces and efforts are being made by Afghan and NATO officials to pave the way for the second round of security transition in coming months.
Meanwhile, Afghan forces have already taken over security responsibility of seven areas in the first phase as planned.
In regards to the second phase of security transition, a senior NATO civilian official on Monday said, Afghanistan along with NATO officials are working on the second phase of security transition process to determine provinces for the second phase.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference in which ISAF spokesman and NATOo’s senior civilian representative spokesman Dominic Medley appeared before the journalist and said, the second phase of security transition will probably be made either in late September or October.
ISAF officials said, Afghan national security forces are ahead of time in terms of build up and equipment program, despite concerns that Afghan security forces are not equipped with modern weapons.
Gen. Carsten Jacobson, ISAF spokesman said, “We are more than ahead in the timetable for increasing Afghan national security forces, police and army and equipping them according to plan.”
