KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces captured a suspected Taliban leader responsible for an improvised explosive device attack Dec. 24 that wounded four Afghan civilians in Zabul province, during a security operation yesterday.
The detained Taliban leader operated primarily out of Kalakheyl village in Shah Joy District. He was associated with IED emplacement and attacks against coalition forces along Highway 1. He also is responsible for the assassination of a Qalat Peace Council Member in November 2010.
Security forces followed leads to the target location in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. After the area was secured, the security force conducted initial questioning at the scene before detaining the targeted leader and two suspected insurgents.
No women or children were injured or detained during this operation and the security force conducted the operation without firing their weapons.