UPDATE: Taliban District shadow governor confirmed killed in air strike

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.20.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – International Security Assistance Forces confirmed the death of Mullah Abdul Qayoum, the Sangin District Taliban shadow governor, during an air strike in Kajaki District, Helmand province, Nov. 20.

Mullah Abdul Qayoum was the Sangin District Taliban shadow governor with overall military command for Sangin and northern Helmand. He appointed all leaders, provided guidance and allocated personnel and financial support to all Taliban leaders operating in the area.

He was also the direct conduit of information and guidance from senior Taliban leadership hiding in Pakistan to local Taliban leaders in Sangin and the surrounding areas.

As the senior Taliban leader in the area, he ordered and approved all major attacks against Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF. He also was an expert in the construction and emplacement of improvised explosive devices and had personally carried out numerous attacks against coalition forces.

Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led ISAF to a district level Taliban command and control center that Taliban leaders operated from. Surveillance indicted that the Taliban were using the location to control insurgent activities and as a meeting site. Numerous armed insurgents had been seen throughout the day coming and going from the location.

ISAF assessed that a meeting was in progress with several suspected Taliban leaders when it conducted the air strike.

More than 10 insurgents were killed in the air strike, including Mullah Abdul Qayoum.

Initial reporting indicates no civilians were harmed in the operation.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2010
• Date Posted: 11.24.2010 08:13
• Story ID: 60793
• Location: KABUL, AF