Combined Joint Task Force - 82

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Members of the Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team facilitated a Shura between Afghan government officials and Konar Province’s local leaders with the hope of coming to a decision on what to do with the current timber situation in the province July 28.

Konar Provincal Governor Fazlullah Wahidid met with the Afghan Minister of Finance Omar Zakhilwal and other officials at his compound in Asadabad to discuss the two main problems in the province; what do with the existing piles of lumber and what to do about the current timber situation.

The day’s events consisted of remarks and issues from the government as well as from Konar timber business leaders, landowners, and elders on how to contribute to protecting the environment, replanting the forest and discussions on a hydro-electric dam to be built in Konar.

One decision made addressed the lumber already cut. The officials want to keep the lumber in Konar and use it for the development of their wood industry and to help build a better Afghanistan. The ministers also asked the elders to get tribal support so they can find a way to stop the illegal cutting of new timber.

The Shura was a successful exercise in raising the awareness of the timber problem and has demonstrated to the people that the government is taking the issue seriously.

“One of our efforts is to decrease the distance between the government and the local population,” said Zakhilwal.

The ministers also agreed to take another look at addressing the timber issues in Konar after the upcoming government elections.

  BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Combined Joint Task Force-82 Soldiers, while conducting an ongoing operation to disrupt militant activities and secure areas for the upcoming elections, captured a militant weapons supplier in eastern Afghanistan July 28. Acting on time sensitive intelligence, the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Yukon, searched a compound in the Sabari District of Khost Province where the supplier was believed to be and located. The improvised explosive device and weapons munitions supplier was found and captured.  “The detention of this individual will have a significant impact on hindering the IED networks working in the Khost Province,” said Maj. Matthew Gregory, a spokesman for Task Force Yukon.  Sabari District has been plagued by Taliban violence as militants seek to disrupt governance and security in the region. There were no CJTF-82 Soldiers or civilian casualties during this incident.  

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 27) – Insurgents attacked a mosque at a combat outpost in the Kamdesh District, injuring two Afghan National Army soldiers, who were awaiting evening prayer on July 26.

The outpost was attacked with small arms fire, mortars, and a rocket-propelled grenade. The rounds impacted the outpost’s mosque.

Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service members treated the soldiers for shrapnel wounds, and medically evacuated those who needed further treatment.

“These brave soldiers fight for the people of Afghanistan every day, and their sacrifices show that they truly care for the people,” said Captain Jay Ireland, the outpost commander. “These insurgents have shown they do not care about the people of Afghanistan, nor do they respect these soldiers’ right to practice their religion.”                     
ISAF is a key component of the international community’s engagement in Afghanistan, assisting the Afghan authorities in providing security and stability and creating the conditions for reconstruction and development.

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 22, 2009) – Militants injured innocent civilians for the second time in as many days in the village of Barge Matal, Afghanistan today.

Militants attacked the village with indirect fire, resulting in many wounded including a 12-year-old boy, and a pregnant woman. 

ANSF and TF Mountain Warrior Soldiers treated the civilians for their wounds, and medically evacuated those requiring further treatment.

Yesterday, militants fired a rocket propelled grenade into the village sawmill, destroying a major source of revenue for the town. The attack also caused severe damage to the village school. 

In the past 10 days, more than 10 innocent Afghans have been wounded as a result of anti-Afghan violence in Barge Matal, and one has been killed.

“These militants are nothing more than common thugs,” said Lt. Col. Clarence Counts, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-82. “They prey on these citizens using threats, intimidation and violence; they claim to be for the people but in actuality, all they offer the Afghan people is death and destruction.”

No TF Mountain Warrior or ANSF soldiers were injured or killed in the attack.