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Afghan and coalition forces continued efforts to secure major travel routes and hinder Taliban efforts to seek sanctuary during two security operations in Zabul and Kandahar provinces yesterday.

The joint security team detained several suspected Taliban members during the operations as they targeted known insurgents in the two provinces.

Forces detained one suspect as they targeted a kidnapper who also facilitates improvised explosive device attacks along Highway 1 in Zabul. Highway 1 is a key link connecting many of southern Afghanistan’s provinces.

The targeted facilitator operates primarily in the Shah Joy district of the province. He is also involved in conducting IED attacks against coalition forces and moving weapons and explosive device materials along the heavily-used thoroughfare.

This operation is one of half a dozen over the past month focusing on IED operations in the Zabul area. Afghan and coalition forces shot and killed Amarat, a key Taliban leader, Nov. 21 and detained a key explosive cell leader Nov. 22 who also targeted the same travel route.

Forces followed leads to a targeted location in the Shah Joy district, where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the individual based on initial questioning at the scene.

Forces also detained several suspects as they targeted known safe havens for IED facilitators and instructors in Kandahar. The joint security team searched a total of 35 buildings as they furthered efforts to disrupt terrorist efforts.

Forces were targeting two Taliban members who are explosive device emplacement and instruction specialists. They are also responsible for smuggling weapons and IED components into the Low Wala area of Kandahar city. Joint security forces conducted more than a dozen operations over the past month detaining scores of suspected insurgents in Kandahar, including a key financier for the Mullah Dadullah Lang terrorist network.

Forces followed leads to a series of targeted locations in Ghorak district, where Afghan forces conducted a callout before conducting a search. The security team detained the individuals based on initial questioning at the scene.

The joint security team conducted these operations in the hours of darkness to minimize risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during the operations.

The security forces conducted the operations without firing their weapons.

Article by ISAF Joint Command