Afghan and coalition forces continued to disrupt terrorist activities and put pressure on Taliban networks during two security operations in Helmand and Kandahar provinces yesterday.
Afghan and coalition forces captured a terrorist leader and two additional suspects, during an operation in Kandahar’s Arghandab District.
The targeted individual was a leader in the Senjaray Taliban network responsible for coordinating attacks on coalition forces. He had direct involvement in and knowledge of improvised explosive device attacks in the district.
Forces tracked the individual to a targeted location in Arghandab where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call the occupants out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the individuals based on initial questioning at the scene.
A separate joint security team detained more than 10 individuals during a complex security operation in Helmand despite the suspects’ efforts to flee.
Forces followed intelligence leads to a series of compounds in Nahr-e-Saraj District targeting a significant Taliban member in the area who is likely the shadow governor of Gereshk. The subject is directly subordinate to Helmand’s shadow governor and is heavily involved in an array of terrorist activities to include attacks against both coalition forces and local Afghans.
Reports indicated the targeted terrorist leader was not only preparing mines for upcoming attacks, but he was also planning an attack on a government official’s family member. The official’s identity and the details of the plan are being withheld for security purposes. Additionally, he is known to deliver and coordinate sentencing as directed by higher Taliban echelons.
Several suspects attempted to flee immediately upon the joint security team’s arrival. The individuals were apprehended and detained with several other suspects based on initial questioning and a search of the targeted locations.
The joint security teams conducted the operations in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during these operations. The security forces conducted the operations without firing their weapons.
Article by ISAF Joint Command