BAGRAM, Afghanistan — U.S. and coalition special operations troops raided a compound in southern Afghanistan on Friday, based on intelligence that it was a sanctuary for senior Taliban and Al Qaeda figures, U.S. military officials said. One person was killed, two were wounded and 50 others were detained.


The troops were fired on when they entered the compound west of the city of Kandahar around 1 a.m. Friday, said Capt. Steven O'Connor, a spokesman at Bagram base north of Kabul.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in Washington that no American or coalition soldiers were hurt.

Officials were trying to determine the identities of the detainees. "We don't yet know exactly who we have," O'Connor said.

He said intelligence indicated that the compound was providing sanctuary to "senior Taliban and/or Al Qaeda leadership." The raid involved 150 coalition troops, including U.S. special forces and members of the 101st Airborne.

During the assault, "several people attempting to flee the area fired on coalition forces who responded appropriately, killing one and wounding two," O'Connor said. The entire operation took eight hours, including a search of the compound.

He would not say where the prisoners were being held.

"Items of intelligence value were found," as were weapons and a large amount of cash, O'Connor said.

In addition to the 50 men taken into custody, there may have been women staying at the compound as well, O'Connor said.

Five people were killed and more than 30 captured in a similar raid north of Kandahar on May 12. The U.S. military has not finished processing those detainees to determine who they are, Pace said Friday

Quoted:

"several people attempting to flee the area fired on coalition forces who responded appropriately, killing one and wounding two"