Afghan National Army Commandos from the 207th Commando Kandak and Coalition forces liberated three Taliban hostages and arrested six armed militants at a vehicle checkpoint in Farah Province, Feb. 12.

As a vehicle approached a combined forces’ checkpoint, the driver failed to heed warnings by the Commandos to stop and attempted to breech the checkpoint. After exhausting all warnings, the Commandos had no other option but to open fire on the vehicle.

One militant was wounded, treated by Afghan National Commandos and Coalition forces’ medics for minor injuries, and taken to a local clinic for further treatment. The militant is in stable condition. Five others were detained by the Commandos and one AK-47 rifle was confiscated.

Occupants of a second vehicle were seen attempting to discard weapons as they approached the checkpoint. After a thorough search of the vehicle, improvised-explosive device making materials, three AK-47s, and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with three rounds and four boosters were discovered. Three militants were detained by the Commandos.

Three occupants of the first vehicle were discovered to be hostages being held for ransom. One of the men was a local shepherd who insurgents had planned to execute and a father and son, one of whom was forced to drive the vehicle. All three hostages were released.

No Afghan National Army soldiers, Coalition forces or civilian casualties were reported.