Afghan and coalition security forces captured two Taliban senior leaders operating in the city of Kandahar Sunday. The Taliban leaders commanded fighters in attacks against Afghan civilians, as well as Afghan and coalition forces.
They also facilitated Taliban attacks by providing weapons and funding to their fighters.
“Taliban leaders operating in Kandahar are feeling the heat,” said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. “Our joint security forces are intent on securing the city and our operations, focused on removing the mid- to senior-level leadership, have led to 21 Taliban leaders captured in the last 30 days. These captures provide the time and space necessary for enduring governance and development initiatives in Kandahar to take root.”
Intelligence reports led the security force to a compound in western Kandahar. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then the joint security force cleared and secured the area. After initial questioning at the scene, the security force identified and detained the two senior leaders along with several of their associates.
The assault force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children for the duration of the search.
Article by ISAF Joint Command