KABUL - An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected Taliban insurgents in Kandahar province Saturday, while in pursuit of a Taliban facilitator who provides weapons and improvised explosive device (IED) materials to key leaders operating in Kandahar City and Arghandab District.
The security force targeted a series of compounds on the outskirts of Kandahar City to search for the facilitator. Afghan forces called for all residents to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area. The assault force then detained the suspected insurgents for further questioning.
"IED incidents are up 38 percent from this time last year and they caused 63 percent of all the casualties in July," said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.
"These indiscriminate tactics used by the insurgents are killing Afghan civilians almost daily. With each operation, Afghan and coalition forces are able to remove more and more of those responsible off the streets."