KABUL – Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents in Paktiya province Tuesday while in pursuit of an insurgent commander with ties to both Taliban and Haqqani senior leadership located in Pakistan.
The commander’s cell is responsible for emplacing improvised explosive devices and conducting attacks on Afghan government officials, as well as coalition forces.
Afghan and coalition forces targeted a compound northwest of the village of Mashat Kheyl in Zurmat district to search for the commander. Afghan and coalition forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area.
After initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained the suspected insurgents. The security force found several weapons, a rocket-propelled grenade, pistol belt and military equipment at the scene.
The security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children for the duration of the search.