ANSF, Coalition forces disrupt IED cell in Helmand Published Dec. 13, 2008 By Headquarters United States Forces Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces killed five militants, destroyed six improvised explosive devices and destroyed a cache of bomb-making materials during two operations Thursday and Friday in Nahr Surkh District, Helmand province, in southern Afghanistan. In the first operation on Thursday, combined forces were conducting a combat security patrol when they were ambushed by militants, who attacked with small-arms fire, machine-gun fire and rocket propelled grenades from embankments along a heavily traveled road. The combined forces returned fire with small-arms fire and heavy weapons, killing four militants; they also discovered six IEDs in the area and destroyed them. In the second operation on Friday, combined forces approached a known IED manufacturing and storage facility when they were attacked by militants with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The combined forces responded with small-arms fire and heavy weapons, killing one militant; they later destroyed the contents of the IED facility. During the engagements, one Afghan police officer was killed and another was wounded. The wounded police officer was taken to a nearby Coalition forces medical facility for treatment, where he remains in good condition. No Coalition forces or civilian casualties have been reported. "Our condolences go to the family of the Afghan police officer," said Col. Greg Julian, U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman. "As Afghan National Security Forces continue to disrupt IED cells, Afghanistan becomes safer for all of its people."