Afghan, coalition forces further efforts to clear region of Taliban, IEDs

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.23.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition security forces detained several suspected insurgents during several operations targeting Taliban leadership in southern Afghanistan overnight.

The joint security forces detained several suspected insurgents as they tracked two Taliban senior leaders in Farah province.

Security forces targeted the Taliban deputy shadow governor of Bakwah district and his associate, the leader of Bakwah’s Ghaziabad area.

The shadow governor is responsible for directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and executing strategic guidance from senior terrorist leaders in both Farah and Pakistan. The Ghaziabad terrorist leader is responsible for a group of fighters and improvised explosive device attacks. He is also responsible for IED emplacement in the area and along the major route connecting Farah to Delaram, Route 515.

Three Afghan citizens were killed and four seriously wounded in an IED attack in Kandahar Sunday. A 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded in Helmand less than 24 hours prior to these operations. Afghan and coalition officials are requesting local citizens to report any suspicious activities or knowledge of IED activity to the Afghan National Security Force or coalition forces.

Security forces tracked the suspected insurgents to targeted locations in Bakwah district. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting the searches. The Afghan and coalition forces detained the suspects based on initial questioning at the scene.

A separate security force detained several suspected insurgents as they tracked a Taliban IED cell leader in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province.

The individual is responsible for planning and conducting IED attacks on coalition forces. The IED cell leader operates mainly between the Shah Joy district and in the Gelan district of Ghazni province, along Highway 1.

The joint security team conducted the operations in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. The security forces conducted the operations without firing their weapons and no women or children were injured or detained.

• Date Taken: 11.23.2010
• Date Posted: 11.23.2010 01:41
• Story ID: 60688
• Location: KABUL, AF