International Security Assistance Forces confirmed the death of Faruk, a Taliban leader who Afghan National Security and ISAF attempted to detain during an operation to interdict narcotic smuggling in Rēg-e Khān Neshīn district, Helmand province, Sunday, Oct. 24.
Faruk was a Taliban leader who was responsible for planning and executing numerous attacks against ANSF and ISAF, in and around Rēg-e Khān Neshīn district. With the close proximity to Pakistan, and his close ties to Taliban leaders there, he was able to facilitate weapons and explosives into the area from Pakistan using narcotics as payment.
Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led the combined security force to a narcotics infiltration route in southern Helmand where Faruk was known to operate. The combined security force spotted two armed insurgents travelling on a motorcycle and attempted to detain them.
The insurgents discarded their motorcycle and fled into a dense area of undergrowth and attempted to disappear. The combined security force searched the area and found one armed insurgent who fired on the pursuing security force. The force returned fire, killing him.
Thirty kilograms of precursor chemicals used to process opium were found on the motorcycle. All chemicals and weapons were destroyed on the scene prior to the departure of the security force.
Article by ISAF Joint Command