KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader along with one suspected insurgent during a multi-compound security operation in Farah province yesterday.
The Taliban leader previously conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Khak-e Safayd District. Due to numerous Taliban leadership losses in the district last year from Afghan and coalition force operations, he recently moved to Bakwah District to launch attacks.
A security force followed intelligence reports to a compound in Bakwah District to search for the senior leader. Afghan forces conducted the callout for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully before conducting a search. After initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained the Taliban leader along with one other suspected insurgent.
A second security force targeted a separate compound also in Bakwah District. Before the security force could begin to secure the area, armed insurgents shot at the force. The security force returned fire resulting in one insurgent being killed. The security force followed a second armed man to the compound where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit peacefully before the security force cleared and secured the compound.
The security force saw the armed insurgent run into a room where he barricaded himself. After several attempts, the security force escalated their call-out procedures before entering the room resulting in one armed insurgent being killed.
The security force protected the women and children for the duration of the operation.