Coalition forces maintain pressure in Kabul and Zabul provinces Published Dec. 13, 2008 By United States Forces-Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan -- Coalition forces killed one militant and detained sixteen suspected militants during operations targeting Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) and Taliban commanders in Kabul and Zabul provinces, Friday. In Surobi District, approximately 30 km northeast of Kabul, Coalition forces detained eight suspected militants during a raid targeting a HIG commander that yielded a cache of weapons and explosives. The successful operation targeted a HIG commander, known to traffic weapons and explosives into Kabul, used to conduct attacks against innocent civilians, GIRoA and Coalition forces. The force searched the compound without incident. During the search, Coalition forces discovered a cache of weapons and explosives inside the compound including: multiple Russian claymores, ten AK-47s, 20 grenades and other military equipment. The weapons and explosive cache was destroyed to prevent future use. "Afghan's safety and security are at the forefront of every Coalition forces' operation," said Col. Jerry O'Hara, U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesperson. "Destruction of weapons and explosives ensures militants are denied the use to cause further harm to innocent Afghan people and combined forces." In Zabul province's Shah Joy District, approximately 140 km northeast of Kandahar, Coalition forces killed one militant and detained eight suspected militants during an operation targeting both a Taliban commander and one of his militant fighters. This Taliban commander is known to coordinate and direct militant activities throughout the district. Specifically, Taliban fighters in the area have conducted multiple attacks against GIRoA officials and Coalition forces aimed at destabilizing the region. During the operation, Coalition forces killed one militant armed with an AK-47, grenades and other military equipment after he engaged the force.