Taliban leader detained

KABUL, Afghanistan (March 4, 2011) – ISAF confirmed today that a Taliban leader was detained during an joint Afghan and Coalition operation in Kandahar province, on 2nd March.

The leader was responsible for coordinating weapons acquisition and distribution for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Taliban leader caught by ANS and ISAF Forces

KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 26, 2011): Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces detained the overall Taliban leader for Zharay district along with numerous suspected insurgents during an operation in Kandahar province yesterday.

The leader organized and coordinated Taliban attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district. He was actively recruiting replacements for two top Taliban leaders who were detained during recent operations. The leader recently returned from Chaman, Pakistan in preparation for the spring fighting season. He had strong ties to Taliban leaders in the area to include the Taliban deputy Kandahar district shadow governor.

Intelligence reports led the security force to the targeted compound in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The Taliban leader and numerous suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning at the scene for involvement in insurgent activity.

Airstrike on Haqqani Network Leader

KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 8, 2011) — Coalition forces targeted a Haqqani Network leader with a precision airstrike that wounded two insurgents who were returning from a mountain with a cache loaded on pack mules in Sabari district, Khost province, yesterday.

Two Taliban leaders detained in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 8, 2011) – Afghan and coalition forces detained two Taliban leaders along with two suspected insurgents during a security operation in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province yesterday.

One of the targeted Taliban leaders coordinated direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Zharay district. He was directly associated with Taliban leaders in the area.

Recent reporting indicates the second Taliban leader was the district Taliban leader for the past three months. He is responsible for improvised explosive device and direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He has replaced leaders who are currently hiding in Pakistan.

“Panjwa’i district has historically been a hotbed for insurgent improvised explosive device attacks in Kandahar province against Afghan civilians, Afghan National Security Force and coalition forces, injuring and killing numerous individuals,” said U.S. Army Col. Patrick Hynes, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.