KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Khost province Tuesday targeting a Haqqani Network leader who coordinates and conducts attacks using rockets, mortars, recoilless rifles and machine guns.
He was also responsible for a recent house-borne improvised explosive device ambush targeting Afghan and coalition forces in Sabari district.
Based on intelligence sources, coalition forces tracked the leader to a remote area in Sabari district. After verifying insurgent activity and careful planning to avoid civilian causalities, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike, killing one insurgent.
Afghan and coalition forces conducted a follow-on ground assessment, and detained an insurgent at the scene. The security force also discovered multiple automatic weapons and a pistol at the scene.
The Afghan and coalition force’s deliberate campaign to disrupt Haqqani operations in Khost province has resulted in 16 Haqqani senior leaders being captured or killed during operations in the province in the last month.