Coalition forces kill four al-Qaeda militants in Paktia Published Nov. 13, 2008 By U.S. Forces Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan -- Coalition forces killed four al-Qaeda associated militants during an operation to thwart the foreign fighter network in Paktia province, Thursday. In Zurmat District, Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda associated militant known to assist local Taliban leaders with the movement of Arabs and other foreign fighters into Afghanistan. These fighters have carried out numerous suicide and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in the region. As the force approached the targeted militants, they refused to follow instructions and attempted to engage the force with AK-47s. Realizing the imminent threat, the force engaged with small-arms fire and killed them. A search of the area revealed the militants were heavily armed with multiple AK-47s, rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades and pistols. These items were destroyed to prevent future use.