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Special Operations Forces Save Lives After Suicide Bombers Strike

5/11/2009

KABUL, Afghanistan - As soon as they heard the news of the suicide bombers a Special Operations Forces team in Gereshk District, Helmand province sprang into action by rescuing, treating and medically evacuating 19 civilians, May 10.

Two suicide bombers detonated themselves in the Gereshk bazaar in Helmand province Sunday, May 10, injuring 20 and killing nine. Six of the victims killed by the suicide bombers were Afghan national policemen and Afghan national army soldiers.

"Yesterday afternoon, two suicide IEDs [improvised explosive devices] were used against the ANP in Gereshk," said a SOF team leader with Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. "There was an ambush from a vehicle and motorcycles, coordinated with a suicide IED on the taxi station/ANP checkpoint."

The team leader said the initial attack occurred on the outskirts of the Gereshk bazaar. An ANP Special Weapons and Tactics element responded to the suicide attack, secured the area and loaded the wounded into their trucks. They began to move the wounded to a local hospital, which was located on the opposite side of the bazaar.

"While they slowed down to move through the bazaar, a second suicide bomber stepped out in the middle of the first and second vehicles in the convoy and detonated," said the team leader. "The suicide bomber had posted himself in a mosque downtown in the bazaar."

SOF personnel acted as a quick reaction force after the second explosion. They moved into the area, secured it and medics began providing emergency care for the injured. The casualties were loaded up and brought to a nearby Coalition firebase for treatment and medical evacuation.

At the site of the explosion, 20 people, including civilians, ANP and ANA were wounded in the attacks. Nine people, including three shoppers at the bazaar, were killed.

Some of the casualties were taken to a British-run hospital in Helmand province, some to Dutch and U.S. run hospitals in Oruzgan province, and some were taken for treatment at Kandahar Airfield, according to the doctor.

The status of the wounded is unknown at this time. In accordance with Islamic tradition, the dead were returned to their families for burial as quickly as possible.

"The militants continue to show their total disregard for the lives of the Afghan people," said a coalition forces spokesperson. "Thanks to the professionalism and dedication of the Afghan and coalition medical personnel, we were able to save lives despite this heinous act."

International Security Assistance Force Troops Intercept Improvised Explosive Devices in Helmand Province

5/10/2009

KABUL, Afghanistan - International Security Assistance Force troops successfully targeted three insurgents who were observed preparing improvised explosive devices on Helmand province's Route 601, east of Lashkar Gar.

On May 7, an ISAF patrol observed three insurgents leave a vehicle, walk approximately one kilometre to Route 601, and then begin placing devices on an isolated stretch of road.

Following appropriate checks to ensure all civilians were clear of the area, ISAF engaged the insurgents in a precision air strike.

"This is another example of the success that ISAF is having in making Lashkar Gah and wider Afghanistan a safer place," said Lt. Col. Nick Richardson, spokesperson for Task Force Helmand. "The quick reaction and professionalism of ISAF troops has stopped these IEDs being used to cause death or serious injury to people in Lashkar Gah and Helmand."

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