KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader who operates in Gardez district, along with one suspected insurgent during a joint security operation in Paktiya province yesterday.
The Taliban leader is responsible for a group of Taliban insurgents that attack coalition forces with improvised explosive devices. He has connections to a Pakistan-based IED training program and facilitates sending Taliban abroad to receive training. Recent reporting indicates that he placed an IED at a children’s playground in the province.
Security forces followed leads to a series of buildings in Ahmadabad district. Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search of the buildings. The security force detained the Taliban leader along with one suspected insurgent after initial questioning for their involvement in insurgent activities. The detained individuals had weapons and armor piercing ammunition.
The security force conducted the operation without firing their weapons and no women or children were injured or detained.