Afghan and Coalition Security Force Conducts Precision Strike in Kunduz ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-07-CA-092

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 15) - An Afghan-international security force conducted a precision strike on a Taliban commander directly connected to the July 2 attack near the Ariana hotel in Kunduz province today. Several other insurgents were killed in the strike also.
The Kunduz police chief reports the commander was killed in the strike, but Afghan and coalition forces are still gathering information in order to completely confirm the report.
The Taliban commander had connections to Afghanistan and Pakistan-based Taliban leadership and was actively involved in improvised explosive device (IED) attacks. He openly claimed responsibility for the July 2 vehicle-borne IED attack on a USAID station near the Ariana hotel in Kunduz which killed two civilians and wounded seven more.
"The Kunduz attack was a shameful act against an organization that was here only to provide assistance to the Afghan people. It clearly demonstrates the Taliban's desire to prevent progress here," said Lt.Col. Ian Tudlong, ISAF Joint Command Chief of Operations. "ANSF and ISAF make it one of our top priorities to stop people who are involved in these types of attacks."
After verifying insurgent activity and careful planning to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage, the strike was called in on the target in a field far away from any villages in Kunduz district. The group of Taliban was meeting reportedly to elect the new Taliban shadow governor of Archi district.
No civilians were wounded or killed in this precision strike.

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 Afghan and Coalition Force Detains Two Suspected Insurgents in Kunduz
2010-07-CA-119  For Immediate Release  Afghan and coalition forces have focused efforts in Kunduz province. Last week coalition forces conducted a precision strike against a Taliban sub-commander responsible for the July 2 attacks on the USAID station at the Ariana Hotel in Kunduz.   Several Kunduz officials reported the commander along with several of his associates, who were meeting to select the new Taliban shadow governor for the province, were killed and injured in the strike.   NATO forces are still gathering information in order to confirm these reports.