Afghan, Coalition Forces Target Haqqani Leaders in Khost
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-230 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 20) – Afghan and coalition forces conducted three operations in Khost province targeting Haqqani leaders, killing several armed insurgents and detaining more than 10 suspected insurgents yesterday.   In Terayzai district, forces targeted a Haqqani leader for Khost province who is responsible for coordinating and conducting attacks on coalition bases in the area.   Intelligence reports led the security force to a compound in Terayzai district to search for the leader. As the security force arrived at the targeted location armed insurgents threatened the security force. The force followed the insurgents and when shot upon, they returned fire resulting in the insurgents being killed.   The force continued to the targeted compound where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully before the joint force cleared and secured the buildings. The Afghan and coalition forces detained the several suspects based on initial questioning at the scene. The force recovered multiple weapons to include a suicide vest, pistol, chest racks and grenades. All weapons discovered on the objective were safely destroyed in place.     The joint security team conducted these operations in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during these operations.

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UPDATE: ISAF confirms Haqqani leader status in Khost
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-256 For Immediate Release Download PDF
KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 22) – The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Usman, a Haqqani Network leader, was killed during an Afghan and coalition operation in Khost Dec. 18.
Usman was responsible for coordinating and conducting attacks on coalition bases in the Khost area.
Intelligence reports led the security force to a compound in Terezai district to search for the leader. As the security force arrived at the targeted location armed insurgents threatened the security force. The force followed the insurgents and when shot upon returned fire resulting in Usman and several insurgents being killed.
The force continued to the targeted compound where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all the occupants to exit the compound peacefully before the joint force cleared and secured the buildings. The Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspects based on initial questioning at the scene. The force recovered multiple weapons to include a suicide vest, pistol, chest racks and grenades. All weapons discovered on the objective were destroyed in place.
The assault force protected the women and children for the duration of the search.