UPDATE Status of Taliban commander in Paktika confirmed

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.12.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL - The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Salim, a Taliban commander in Paktika province, was killed during an Afghan and coalition force operation Sept. 1.

After conducting a precision air strike targeting the commander outside the village of Baratkheyl in Yosuf Khel District, Afghan and coalition forces dispatched to the area to assess the results of the strike.

The security force confirmed an armed insurgent killed in the strike and also found an automatic weapon along with a rifle scope, multiple magazines and grenades with the insurgent. They also found IED material including a pressure plate, detonation cord, blasting caps and multiple remote control devices.

"Salim was the commander for a Taliban fighter cell in northern Paktika. His cell included improvised explosive device builders and foreign fighters whose actions threatened the safety of the local population," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command
Combined Joint Operations Center director.

Intelligence tips led the security force to target a nearby compound reportedly frequented by the commander. As the security force approached, two insurgents fled the compound and hid in the nearby trees. The security force pursued them, but as they tried to call them out of their hiding spot, one of the insurgents threatened the security force. They engaged the insurgent, now confirmed to be Salim, and killed him.

The other insurgent then complied with the security force and was detained. The assault force found multiple automatic weapons, magazines and grenades with the hiding insurgents and during a search of the targeted compound, they discovered additional IED material, including a pressure plate IED.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2010
• Date Posted: 09.12.2010 05:01
• Story ID: 56121
• Location: KABUL, AF