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Afghan and coalition forces conducted another deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the Taliban’s freedom of movement in northern Afghanistan.

The joint security force is continuing their efforts to disrupt enemy safe havens, where Taliban leaders use villages throughout the area to conduct operational planning and facilitate their attacks.

Intelligence reports indicated the targeted location near Shinwari village in Kunduz district was the possible staging area for the Dec. 19 attack on the Afghan National Army recruiting center that killed nine Afghan soldiers and wounded 15 others.

“Afghan and coalition forces continue to push forward removing Taliban from locations where they plan attacks and store weapons that are used against the people of Afghanistan,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Hynes, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. “This operation is an example of military alliance commitment to pressure insurgents during the winter months ensuring they are unable to reorganize in local villages.”

Afghan and coalition forces cleared more than 40 buildings suspected of insurgent activity in the area. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compounds peacefully before the joint security force cleared and secured the area.

One of the buildings was identified to be an improvised explosive device and weapons facility. The facility contained significant amounts of IED making material and weapons to include mortar systems, machine guns with spare parts, shape charges and numerous types of ammunition.

After determining there was no other options to neutralize the facility, the security force called in a precision air strike on the building to eliminate the threat and protect the local populace.

Article by ISAF Joint Command