Forces focus on southern Afghanistan, detain several overnight

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

12.08.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces targeted Taliban leadership during two operations in southern Afghanistan detaining several suspected insurgents last night.

Afghan and coalition forces continued efforts to secure major travel routes during a security operation in Zabul province.

The joint security team detained several suspected Taliban members as they targeted an improvised explosive device facilitator involved in attacks along Highway 1 in the Shah Joy district.

Highway 1 is a key link connecting many of southern Afghanistan’s provinces. The targeted individual is known to facilitate IED attacks on the heavily-used thoroughfare between Qalat and the northern provincial border of Ghazni.

This operation is one of many over the past month focusing on IED operations in the Zabul area. Afghan and coalition forces shot and killed Amarat, a key Taliban leader, Nov. 21 and detained a key IED cell leader Nov. 22 who also targeted the same travel route.

Forces followed leads to a targeted location in Qalat district, where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team determined the individuals would be detained based on initial questioning at the scene.

A separate security team detained two suspects in an IED network in Kandahar province while targeting an IED facilitator responsible for construction, attack coordination and emplacement of IED’s. He is associated with several central Kandahar Taliban leaders and facilitators.

Forces followed leads to a targeted location in Kandahar city, where Afghan forces conducted a callout before conducting a search. The security team determined the individuals would be detained based on initial questioning at the scene.

The joint security teams conducted the operations in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during these operations.

The security forces conducted the operations without firing their weapons.

• Date Taken: 12.08.2010
• Date Posted: 12.07.2010 22:34
• Story ID: 61529
• Location: KABUL, AF