Coalition Provides Medical Aid to Afghan Woman, Baby
American Forces Press Service


KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 28, 2008 – An Afghan woman and her seven-month-old son, who were severely injured by militants during an operation in Kapisa, Nov. 20, were released from a Coalition forces hospital in Bagram this week.

The woman and child, whom Coalition forces believe lived with the militants, were injured when one of the militants detonated a hand grenade inside the compound. Coalition forces provided medical care on the scene, however; their injuries were so severe, that forces evacuated them to a military hospital in Bagram for further treatment.

The woman and child both sustained head trauma and fragmentation injuries from the grenade blast. Coalition forces' doctors provided medical care to both, nursing them back to health.

"These militants continue to show a blatant disregard for the lives of Afghan citizens," said Col. Jerry O'Hara, a Coalition spokesperson. "This woman and her child are another example of the indiscriminate pain these militants bring to the Afghan people."

Coalition forces, following cultural sensitivity protocol, arranged for the woman's brother and mother to join her and her son on the military base, staying with them throughout their care.

Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire killing four armed militants. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47s, hand grenades and other military style equipment, which were destroyed by force to prevent future use. The operation resulted in three suspected militants being detained.

"These militants continue to put innocent civilians in harm's way by hiding amongst them and using them as human shields," said O'Hara. "Afghan and Coalition forces remain committed to removing those networks that threaten the sovereign Islamic Republic of Afghanistan."

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases