Coalition forces kill senior Haqqani facilitator with precision air strike

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.24.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Kabul province Thursday killing Qari Mansur, a senior Haqqani Network facilitator, after he and five of his associates conducted an attack against an Afghan National Police unit Wednesday.

Qari Mansur reportedly took attack instructions directly from Haqqani senior leaders in Pakistan prior to the Saturday's elections.

Based on intelligence sources, coalition forces tracked Qari Mansur to a remote valley east of Kabul City. After careful planning to ensure no civilians were present, coalition aircraft conducted a precision air strike against the Haqqani insurgents. A suspected minefield prevented a follow-on ANP ground force from assessing the engagement area, but Afghan and coalition forces confirmed all six insurgents were killed.

"Qari Mansur was one of the most prolific attack planners for the Kabul insurgent network," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.

"This is just further proof that we do not allow insurgent groups to get away with attacks that directly harm Afghan civilians."

Initial reporting indicates no civilians were harmed during this operation.

• Date Taken: 09.24.2010
• Date Posted: 09.24.2010 07:51
• Story ID: 56891
• Location: KABUL, AF