KABUL – Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Kandahar province Tuesday killing a Taliban commander who planned and coordinated improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan civilians, as well as Afghan and coalition forces.
The commander, Aqua, also facilitated the transportation of weapons and military material for his fighters.
After positively identifying the commander and careful planning to avoid civilian casualties, coalition forces conducted the precision air strike against Aqua in a rural field distantly located from civilian villages in Arghandab district. A follow-on ground force went to the site and verified the commander was killed in the strike.
“Aqua planned, facilitated and conducted egregious acts against the Afghan people,” said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. “We’ve made it a top priority to bring to justice those purposefully harming the peaceful people of Afghanistan.”
No civilians were wounded or killed in this precision strike.