Afghan and coalition forces conducted four operations targeting Taliban leaders detaining numerous suspected insurgents in Helmand, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces yesterday.
In Helmand province, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspects as they conducted a joint security operation targeting Taliban leadership.
Forces detained two suspects in Nahr-e Saraj district while targeting the Gereshk district Taliban senior leader as well as an additional leader in the Lashkar Gah and Nahr-e Saraj areas.
The targeted individuals facilitate the movement of logistics and deconflict Taliban operations. They control groups that conduct improvised explosive device attacks on highways running through Helmand province. One of the targeted individuals moved into his current position of responsibility since his predecessor has remained in Pakistan, according to intelligence reports.
Forces followed leads to the targeted locations in Nahr-e Saraj, where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call the occupants out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team determined the individuals would be detained based on initial questioning at the scene.
In Kandahar province, Afghan and coalition forces detained several individuals suspected of involvement in an improvised explosive device network.
The joint security team detained the suspected Taliban members while targeting an IED facilitator responsible for construction, attack coordination and emplacement of devices. He is associated with several central Kandahar Taliban leaders and facilitators.
Afghan and coalition forces detained more than five suspected insurgents as they targeted a Taliban commander associated with attacks on the Sherzad district center during a security operation in Nangarhar province.
Intelligence reports indicate the Taliban leader steals Afghan National Security Force vehicles to convert them into assault vehicles or possible vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The security force followed intelligence tips to a compound in Sherzad district to search for the leader. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully before the joint security force cleared and secured the building. After the area was secure, the security force conducted initial questioning at the scene before detaining the suspected insurgents.
The joint security teams conducted these 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 operation without firing their weapons.
Article by ISAF Joint Command