Forces Target Taliban Leadership, Detain Suspected Insurgents
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-122 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 11, 2010) – Afghan and coalition forces conducted a deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan’s freedom of movement in northern Afghanistan.  The joint security force is continuing their efforts to disrupt enemy safe havens, where Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders use villages throughout the area to conduct operational planning with Taliban fighters and facilitate their attacks. This operation focused on an area near Mang Tappeh village in Chahar Darah district, Kunduz province.   Afghan and coalition forces cleared 35 buildings suspected of insurgent activity in the area. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compounds peacefully before the joint security force cleared and secured the area. As a result of initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained 10 suspected insurgents during the operation.   Sporadic effective gunfire from insurgents throughout the operation resulted in coalition forces killing five insurgents. The security force also found and destroyed multiple automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades and a machine gun at the scene. They also found improvised explosive device material including two dozen blasting caps.  “Afghan and coalition forces are destroying enemy safe havens, disrupting insurgent activity and making the area safer for its residents,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Hynes, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. “Additionally, these operations pave the way for counterinsurgency efforts, which will eventually leave Afghans able to maintain their own security and governance without the fear of insurgent threats.”