Afghan, coalition forces target Taliban leadership in 3 operations

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

12.16.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces continued to disrupt terrorist activities and apply pressure on Taliban networks during security operations in Nangarhar, Gardez and Helmand provinces Dec. 16.

In Nangarhar province, Afghan and coalition forces killed an armed insurgent who threatened the security team during a joint operation targeting a Taliban facilitator.

The targeted individual plans and organizes improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Jalalabad and surrounding areas of Nangarhar province.

Intelligence reports led the security force to a compound in Rodat district to search for the facilitator. As the security force cleared and secured the buildings, they encountered an armed insurgent who threatened the security force. The security force shot and killed him.

International Security Assistance Force units have conducted numerous military operations within the province against Taliban leadership. Earlier this week, ISAF confirmed the capture of the Taliban shadow governor and two Taliban leaders who planned attacks against coalition forces and Afghan government officials in Sherzad district.

A second security force detained numerous suspects and recovered multiple night letters as they targeted a Taliban leader during a security operation in Helmand province.

The joint security team detained the suspects as they searched several buildings for an individual who leads Taliban fighters in Marjah and Lashkar Gah.

Taliban leaders deliver threats in night letters, bearing a Taliban symbol as letterhead, to local citizens and officials. The letters carry threats of death to recipients and their families if they do not comply with the demands of the letter. Intelligence reports indicate the targeted individual is also involved in planning suicide improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces in Marjah.

Forces followed leads to a series of targeted locations in Marjah, where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call the occupants out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the individuals based on initial questioning at the scene and discovery of the night letters.

A third security force detained several suspected insurgents as they targeted a Taliban leader during a security operation in Gardez province.

The targeted individual is directly responsible for conducting direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks on coalition forces and local national schools. His cell facilitates the acquisition of and manufactures IED’s. He also conducts reconnaissance and surveillance on coalition force movement and locations within the province.

The security force followed intelligence tips to a compound in Gardez district to search for the leader. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully before the joint security force cleared and secured the building. After the area was secure, the security force conducted initial questioning at the scene before detaining seven suspected insurgents.

The assault force protected the women and children for the duration of the searches.

• Date Taken: 12.16.2010
• Date Posted: 12.16.2010 23:46
• Story ID: 62136
• Location: KABUL, AF