Afghan and Coalition Security Force Conducts Precision Strikes in Paktiya
 ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-07-CA-193  For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (July 27) - An Afghan and coalition security force conducted multiple precision strikes in Paktiya province yesterday targeting the senior Haqqani Network commander for Khost-Gardez pass responsible for the overall command and control of all Haqqani and foreign fighter camps in the area. Afghan and coalition forces are still gathering information to confirm the commander's death. The Haqqani commander regularly directs and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and is in regular contact with top Haqqani leadership across the border in Pakistan. After verifying insurgent activity and conducting an exhaustive review to avoid civilian casualties and mitigate collateral damage, the precision air strike was called to hit a bunker complex in a remote area of Dzadran district of Paktiya province where intelligence sources reported the commander to be hiding. "These strikes were meticulously conducted against a known and extremely dangerous senior leader within the Haqqani Network," said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "The insurgents are regularly smuggling foreign fighters across the borders of Afghanistan to bring violence and instability to the Afghan people." The nearest populated area was more than a kilometer away and there are no reports of civilian casualties as a result of this strike.