KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces detained a key Taliban improvised explosive device leader and several suspected insurgents in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province yesterday.
The targeted IED cell leader, based in the Dand district of Kandahar, is responsible for numerous violent attacks on local Afghan citizens and coalition forces.
The individual is reportedly responsible for several terrorist activities including planning a heavy-machine gun ambush on coalition forces; harassment of Afghan citizens; and multiple incidents of IED training, planning and facilitation.
Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting the search. The Afghan and coalition forces detained the Taliban leader and the additional suspects based on initial questioning at the scene.
The joint security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation.