Attack on Bari Alai

The Attack on Bari Alai (Battle of Nishagam)[1] was a Taliban insurgent attack on the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Observation Post (OP) Bari Alai in the perimeter of Nishagam in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. The attack was successful in being the first time during the war in Afghanistan, the Taliban had completely overrun a coalition outpost.[3][4] Survivors were few with the exception of 2 Latvian soldiers and a number of Afghan troops. The US detachment at the OP (3 in total) were all killed in action.[2][5]

Attack on Bari Alai (2009)
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Aftermath of attack on Observation Post Bari Alai (May 1st, 2009)
Date 1 May 2009 Location Observation Post Bari Alai, perimeter of Nishagam Kunar province, Afghanistan Result Taliban success; OP destroyed
Belligerents
United States  Latvia  Afghanistan	Taliban insurgents
Units involved
United States Army: 6/4 Cavalry 3rd Brigade 1st Infantry Division Latvian Land Forces: 1st Infantry Battalion '1. Kājnieku' Afghan National Army	Unknown
Strength
Total: 32 3 (US) 4 (Latvia) 25 (Afghanistan)	~100
Casualties and losses
U.S.: 3 killed[1] Latvia: 2 killed, 2 wounded[2] Afghanistan: 3 killed, 12 captured)[1]	19 killed