Afghan and Coalition Forces Detain Several Suspected Insurgents in Kandahar
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-07-CA-227  For Immediate Release

 KABUL, Afghanistan (July 31) - An Afghan-led security force detained several suspected insurgents and destroyed an active improvised explosive device (IED) and three mortar rounds during a two-day deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the enemy in what was historically a Taliban safe haven used to stage attacks into Kandahar City.   The security forces participating in the operation were Afghan National Security Force soldiers, who led the clearance of several compounds on the outskirts of Molla Dust village in the Panjwa'i district, in partnership with coalition forces. In June, insurgents engaged the assault force several times during a similar three-day clearing operation in Panjwa'i district. The assault force responded killing more than 30 insurgents and detaining many more suspected insurgents. During that same operation the security force discovered and destroyed a house-borne IED, an IED-making facility with IED materials, including jugs of homemade explosives, 500 pounds of opium, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade launchers with rounds.   "Afghan and NATO forces will not relent," said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "Their presence in and around Kandahar will continue to increase and soon there will be no place safe for these criminals to hide and store their IEDs, weapons and drugs in Kandahar-the clock is ticking-their time here is up." Since June, security forces have conducted several clearing operations within Kandahar province capturing more than 125 suspected insurgents, including numerous Taliban leaders. Coalition Forces have also discovered and destroyed several IED factories, and a large number of IEDs and automatic weapons.   "IED emplacement is the most lethal Taliban tactic employed against the Afghan people, ANSF and coalition forces. As a result of these joint operations, IED attacks have been severely disrupted in this region," said Torres.