KABUL - The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Juma Gul, the Taliban district commander for Aliabad District of Kunduz province, was among eight insurgents killed during an Afghan and coalition force operation Wednesday.
The commander was actively planning attacks during the parliamentary elections Saturday.
"The Afghan people deserve to cast their votes without fear of attacks from the insurgent groups; we are continuously tracking them and taking action before they're able to carry out their plans," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.
Coalition forces tracked the targeted individual to an open field in remote Chahar Darah District where he was having a meeting with several armed insurgents. After careful planning to ensure no civilians were present, coalition aircraft conducted a precision air strike followed by direct fire engagements against the group.
A follow-on ground force dispatched to the engagement area to assess the results. Two insurgents still at the scene fired at the force and the assault force returned fire, killing them.
An inspection of the area confirmed six insurgents were also killed in the air engagements. They also discovered and destroyed a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with multiple rounds, along with multiple weapons, magazines and grenades at the scene.