KABUL- An Afghan and coalition security force detained several insurgents in Helmand province Thursday, including a Taliban military commander with direct ties to Taliban senior leadership based in Pakistan.
The security force targeted a compound southeast of the village of Juy-e Shahi in Lashkar Gah District in pursuit of the commander.
Afghan forces used a loudspeaker calling for all occupants to exit the buildings and then cleared the compound.
After questioning the residents, the security force detained the commander and several of his associates.
The assault force did not fire their weapons during the operation and they protected the women and children for the duration of the search.