KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban facilitator responsible for planning and conducting attacks as well as smuggling explosives and suicide vests during an operation in Kandahar province yesterday.
The forces detained the targeted leader and two additional suspects in the Kandahar District based on the leader’s association with a suicide improvised explosive device network.
The now-detained insurgent provided a conduit for terrorist activities between Kandahar and Pakistan Taliban networks. Intelligence reports indicate he was involved in planning an undisclosed explosive device attack in Marjah.
The targeted individual had close ties to a Taliban leader captured Nov. 27 in Helmand province for heavy involvement with IED procurement and training.
Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call occupants out of the targeted buildings peacefully before they conducted a search. The Afghan and coalition forces detained the facilitator and additional suspects based on questioning at the scene.
Forces 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.
The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.