KABUL - Afghan and coalition security forces detained one insurgent in Paktika province Thursday while in pursuit of a Taliban facilitator involved in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices.
The commander sells and facilitates rocket-propelled grenades and works with Turkish foreign fighters.
The assault force targeted a series of compounds in Yahya Khel District in pursuit of the facilitator. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit each of the compounds peacefully, and then secured the areas. After questioning all of the residents at the scene, the security force detained the insurgent.
The security force discovered and destroyed multiple automatic weapons, an RPG launcher with four rounds and three hand grenades. They also found a pressure plate IED and Pakistani money at the scene.
The security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children for the duration of the search.