The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of the Taliban deputy district commander for Dand, and another Taliban commander in charge of a kidnapping cell that targets Afghan government officials.
Afghan and coalition forces captured the commanders during an overnight operation in Kandahar province Monday.
Acting on intelligence tips, Afghan and coalition forces went to a compound northeast of Hajji Atamohammad Khan in Panjwa'i district to search for the insurgents. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area.
The security force detained the commanders along with six of their associates after interviewing the residents.
"These operations target the senior insurgent leaders operating in Afghanistan, creating the time and space necessary for stable governance," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "These Taliban commanders will be held accountable and brought to justice for their actions against the Afghan people."
The ground security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children for the duration of the search.
Article by ISAF Joint Command