Special Operations Forces provide medical care to Afghan females injured during insurgent attack in

By Sgt. 1st Class Andrew KostermanJuly 18, 2010

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Two Afghan women were attacked by insurgents in Uruzgan province July 18 and were later treated by U.S. Special Operations Forces at a nearby care facility.

A village elder initially reported both females' injuries were caused by insurgents' gun fire, but further investigation revealed insurgent indirect weapons fire had caused the injuries.

"One of the females had a shrapnel injury in her left arm and the other had a shrapnel injury in her right hip," said a USSOF medical officer from the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan.

According to media reports, Taliban leaders have recently provided directives to their operatives to attack Afghan women who are thought to be supporting the Afghan government.

"U.S. Special Operations forces in Uruzgan stand ready to help the local people, should they be harmed by the Taliban," said Sgt. Ben Watson, a CJSOTF-A spokesperson. "We will continue to support the Afghan people in their hopes for a stable and peaceful life free of senseless insurgent violence."