KABUL, Afghanistan - The International Security Assistance Force confirmed a Taliban military commission member for the Babaji area of Nad 'Ali District was captured during an overnight operation in Helmand province Thursday.
He was also assessed to be the new deputy military commander for the Lashkar Gah and Narh-e Saraj area. Additionally, a newly appointed Taliban military commander for the Babaji area was among those detained during the operation.
"Afghan and coalition forces are consistently targeting Taliban leadership operating in Helmand," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "The targeted individual replaced the former deputy commander after he was captured by Afghan-led forces earlier this month. In several areas throughout the country, insurgent commanders don't hold their positions long before they are captured. It's only a matter of time before the leadership of the Taliban are forced to leave Pakistan and join the fight in Afghanistan."
Based on intelligence reports, the security force targeted a remote compound in Nahr-e Saraj District to search for the commander. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then the joint security force began to clear and secure the compound.
After the area was secure, the security force conducted initial questioning at the scene before detaining the commander, who was apprehended in a tree line near the compound, along with his three associates. The security force also discovered 50 pounds of wet opium, which is often trafficked to fund the insurgency.
The assault force protected the women and children for the duration of the search.