An Afghan and coalition security force captured an improvised explosive device cell leader operating in Qalat District Tuesday.
The targeted individual facilitated the movement of weapons and supplies, and directed IED attacks on Highway 1, a major route used by civilians.
The security force targeted a vehicle in Qalat District to search for the IED operative. They interdicted and stopped the vehicle peacefully and then detained the cell leader.
"The Taliban are known to target that heavily-traveled road to carry out IED attacks." said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "These insurgents have no regard for the innocent Afghan civilians traveling the roads of Afghanistan. These terrorist acts of violence will be not be tolerated by the Afghan and coalition forces as the Afghan government moves forward by establishing a safe environment for the people of southern Afghanistan."
Afghan and coalition forces did not fire their weapons during the operation.
Article by ISAF Joint Command