The attack was the bloodiest so far on U.S.-funded contractors since the beginning of the Taliban’s spring offensive, which started May 1. In a statement announcing the offensive, the Taliban promised to target contractors associated with the Afghan government or foreign forces.
Rest in peace to the fallen. After reading through the description of this attack, it sounded like an incredible fight. Galaxy Sky is a company I am not familiar with, but none the less, they are doing a contract that the coalition is paying for and needs. Road construction is vital to the war effort because it is necessary for commerce and for the logistics of the various military groups in theater.
The one part of this story I wanted to focus in on though, is the targeting of contractors as a strategy of the Taliban. If true, then I think ISAF and the Afghan government should make every effort to coordinate with companies like Galaxy Sky, and at least be on the ‘quick dial’ for security assistance. It would also be an opportunity to kill more Taliban, and I know our forces over there love a good fight. Plus, it is the right thing to do. Companies like Galaxy Sky are putting a lot on the line to get things done in Afghanistan and we should do all we can to help them be successful. –Matt
Taliban Attack Contractor Compound, Killing 35 Afghans
By HABIB KHAN TOTAKHIL
MAY 19, 2011
KABUL—The Taliban attacked a construction company’s compound in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, killing 35 Afghan workers employed by a U.S.-funded road project, Afghan officials said.
In the predawn strike on the Galaxy Sky compound in Paktia province, the Taliban killed security guards, engineers and laborers, said provincial government spokesman Rohullah Samon. Eight militants were also killed as the company’s guards fought back, he added.
According to Abdul Wali, chief of the Wazai Zadran district where the attack occurred, some 20 other workers were missing and believed to have been taken into captivity by the Taliban. Another 20 or so were injured, he said.
The attack was the bloodiest so far on U.S.-funded contractors since the beginning of the Taliban’s spring offensive, which started May 1. In a statement announcing the offensive, the Taliban promised to target contractors associated with the Afghan government or foreign forces.
The Taliban especially oppose road-building programs, which make it easier for coalition armored vehicles to patrol insurgent-dominated areas.
“The terrorists proved with this cowardly act that they are enemies of the development of Afghanistan,” President Hamid Karzai said in a statement.
Galaxy Sky, an Afghan construction company, is building a 35-kilometer (22-mile) stretch of road in an area under Taliban influence, Mr. Samon said.
Paktia has a long border with Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas from where Taliban militants often cross to strike Afghan and coalition forces.
The Taliban have already attacked Galaxy Sky’s road-building project twice in the past several months, said Mr. Wali, the district chief. In the first attack, the insurgents killed three workers and took 12 guards as hostages to the Pakistani tribal area of Waziristan. In the second attack, seven more workers were killed.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack via a text message from an undisclosed location. He claimed that 40 Galaxy Sky security guards and two Taliban fighters had been killed.
Mr. Wali said Afghan police in the district were aware of the battle at the construction compound, but they didn’t interfere because they lacked the resources to take on the Taliban.
The Taliban are intensifying their attacks as the U.S.-led coalition prepares to start handing over security responsibilities to the Afghan troops later this year, as part of a plan to withdraw most foreign forces by the end of 2014.
Story here.