KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces conducted an operation to detain a senior Taliban leader in Now Zad District, Helmand province, Thursday.
The senior Taliban leader is a senior facilitator of improvised explosive devices and a key conduit of information and financial support between provincial senior Taliban leadership and senior Taliban leadership in Pakistan. He has also planned, coordinated and executed IED attacks against ANSF and ISAF.
Multiple intelligence sources led the joint security force to the suspected location of the senior Taliban leader. Upon arrival at the location, the force immediately came under fire by two insurgents. The force returned fire, killing both insurgents.
Upon surrounding the compound, Afghan forces called out all occupants in order to allow them to exit peacefully. A total of four men, five women and 10 children were protected.
As the force entered the compound, three insurgents opened fire on them. The security force returned fire killing the three. The force then secured and searched the compound.
During the search, several insurgents were detained along with numerous automatic weapons, associated ammunition and 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of opium.
After initial questioning, Afghan forces detained numerous insurgents for further questioning. It is currently being assessed whether the Taliban leader was one of the killed or detained insurgents.
The weapons and opium were safely destroyed on site prior to the departure of the joint force.