KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force detained suspected Taliban insurgents last night, including a Taliban commander operating in the Arghandab District of Kandahar province.
The commander is an improvised explosive device expert sought by other Taliban commanders in the area to help carry out their indiscriminate attacks against Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces.
The security force targeted a compound in the village of Adirah in Arghandab district to search for the commander. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all residents to peacefully exit the building and then secured the area. After questioning the residents at the scene, the assault force detained the commander and other suspected insurgents.
"The pressure on the Taliban will continue in and around Kandahar City," said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "The Taliban's reliance on indiscriminate IED tactics is extremely alarming, however we continue to apprehend a large number of IED operatives and material during these operations."
Afghan and coalition forces did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children throughout the search.