Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban improvised explosive device cell leader in Kandahar province yesterday.
The operation, one of several last night in which IED leaders and networks were targeted in southern Afghanistan, comes in the wake of two recent and separate IED explosions in which local Afghans were the casualties.
Security forces targeted the individual known for planning and conducting IED attacks on coalition forces. The individual was also reportedly involved with an IED explosion in which a child was injured earlier this month.
Three Afghan citizens were killed and four seriously wounded in an IED attack in Kandahar Sunday. A 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded in Helmand less than 24 hours prior to this operation. Afghan and coalition officials are requesting local citizens to report any suspicious activities or knowledge of IED activity to the Afghan National Security Force or coalition forces.
Security forces tracked the terrorist leader to a rural location in Kandahar district to ensure the safety of local residents. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting the search. The Afghan and coalition forces detained the individual and additional suspect based on initial questioning at the scene.
The joint security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation.
The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.
Article by ISAF Joint Command