Afghan and coalition forces targeted the former Taliban shadow chief for Zharay District during a security operation in Kandahar province, detaining numerous suspected insurgents and killing one insurgent, yesterday.
The Taliban senior leader has operational influence throughout central Kandahar province to include Kandahar City and Zharay, Dand and Panjwa’i Districts providing command and strategic guidance over improvised explosive device and suicide operations.
He is a current member of the Quetta military Shura in Pakistan. The Taliban senior leader is closely associated with other Taliban senior leaders in the area. Recent reporting indicates he had an associate provide him with three suicide bombers for an attack in Zharay District.
Security forces followed leads to a targeted compound in Dand District, where Afghan and coalition forces secured and conducted a search. While clearing one of the buildings, an insurgent attacked a member of the security force resulting in the insurgent being killed. The security force detained suspected insurgents based on initial questioning at the scene.
In Kandahar City, a separate Afghan and coalition force conducted a deliberate clearing operation targeting Taliban leaders and detaining two suspected insurgents in the province.
The security force targeted Taliban leaders who operate within the city, denying them freedom of movement and safe havens in the area. The Taliban leaders are responsible for IED cells and assassination attempts against Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials.
Security forces followed leads to the target location in the city, where Afghan and coalition forces conducted a search after securing the compound. Two suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning at the scene.
Article by ISAF Joint Command