ANSF, coalition forces foil attack in Khowst

By Staff Sgt. John Zumer, TF Duke Public AffairsMay 26, 2011

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan " An early-morning attack by insurgents upon the Traffic Police Center of the Afghan Uniform Police shattered the morning calm in Khowst City, May 22.

The attack ended with the insurgents all being stopped before a vehicle borne improvised explosive device was detonated, which could have resulted in the death of numerous civilians.

U.S. Army Capt. James Smith, commander of the 870th Military Police Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, and a native of Rancho Cordova, Calif., was one of the first to respond to the scene with his company, a National Guard unit based out of Pittsburgh, Calif.

The 870th MP Co. serves as the designated quick reaction force in Khowst City when serious incidents arise.

“We immediately took fire upon arriving,” said Smith.

The four insurgents, all of whom wore the uniform of the AUP and suicide vests, stormed the compound. They barricaded themselves on the various floors of the compound, firing at those outside and within.

A U.S. Army Soldier was wounded early in the engagement, prompting the 870th to consolidate their position, while returning fire as other Afghan National Security and coalition forces made their way to the scene.

One of the ANSF at the scene, Lt. Zareem, commander of the AUP’s TF Shahkine (which translates to Reliance), came to the aid of the wounded American, running into enemy fire, and dragging the Soldier back out of the building to safety.

“I went to go get him because he is my brother,” said Zareem, afterward.

A suspicious vehicle left outside the compound, believed to belong to the insurgents, complicated the matter further.

Reinforcements arrived shortly after, in the form of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke.

After determining the suspicious vehicle left outside did indeed contain explosives, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jesse Pearson, the commander of 1st Inf. Bn, 26th Inf. Regt. and a native of Joliet, Ill., ordered all personnel to form a secure perimeter.

U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal teams moved in and successfully defused the VBIED.

“This was a determined insurgent force,” said Pearson.

Following the lead of the ANSF, troops began to methodically clear the compound of insurgents, floor by floor.

The entire incident lasted more than nine hours.

Besides the three insurgents killed, one was captured trying to flee the area, said Smith. Three other individuals believed to be associated with the attack were arrested later in the day, he added.

Smith said the two U.S. Soldiers wounded in the incident, both are expected to recover fully.

“It just goes to show that MPs run to the sounds of the guns, and not away from them,” said Smith. “I thought our forces (coalition and ANSF) worked well together as a joint force,” he added.

Pearson agreed.

“Because of the quick reaction of the ANSF and others involved, the insurgents were prevented from detonating the VBIED,” said Pearson.

“No question, it was a major victory for the ANSF to defeat the insurgents.”

Related Links: