Afghan, Coalition Forces Take Steps to Secure Southern Transit Route
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-157 For Immediate Release Download PDF  KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 14, 2010) – Afghan and coalition forces shot and killed two insurgents who threatened the security team during a joint operation to help secure Highway 1 in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district yesterday.  The joint security team shot and killed the suspects as they searched for a Taliban leader responsible for improvised explosive device and small arms attacks against coalition forces on Highway 1.  Intelligence reports led the force to an area where the terrorists were observed earlier in the day. A family member in the targeted building told forces at the scene the men who fled were Taliban. He said the two Taliban members threatened to kill the man’s family if they did not provide them with accommodations. The residents of the building were not detained and were protected during the operation.  As security forces approached the targeted location, the two individuals immediately fled the scene. Security forces pursued the men, who were carrying weapons. One individual opened fire on the team after forces made several attempts to interdict the suspects. Forces returned fire, killing him.  The second individual continued to evade capture for approximately 30 minutes. Afghan and coalition forces attempted to detain the individual when he threatened the force as they neared his location. Forces fired and killed the individual who was found wearing body armor and carrying grenades.   The security forces have made it a priority to secure Highway 1 in an effort to further the safety of local Afghans and coalition forces as well as provide a conduit to further stabilization in the southern provinces. This operation is one of more than half a dozen conducted over the past three weeks in southern Afghanistan’s Shah Joy district.  The major thoroughfare extends from Kabul, near the Afghanistan, Pakistan border, through the southern provinces and terminates on the Iranian border. Southern forces killed three insurgents including a significant Taliban leader, Amarat, and detained nearly 20 suspects in the district since Nov. 18.  The joint security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained.

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UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Status of Targeted Taliban Leader
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-167 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 15) – The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Afghan and coalition forces killed Hakimullah, a Taliban leader in Zabul province during a security operation Dec. 13.   The Taliban leader was responsible for improvised explosive device and small arms attacks against coalition forces on Highway 1.   In addition to the Dec. 13 operation, security forces have captured or killed several Taliban leaders in the province since Nov. 1 during security operations aimed at making the heavily travelled Highway 1 safer for local Afghans and coalition forces.    Afghan and coalition forces shot and killed the Taliban leader and another insurgent who threatened the security team during a joint operation to help secure Highway 1 in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district.   Intelligence reports led the force to an area where the terrorists were observed earlier in the day. A family member in the targeted building told forces at the scene the men who fled were Taliban. He said the two Taliban members threatened to kill the man’s family if they did not provide them with accommodations. The residents of the building were not detained and were protected during the operation.   As security forces approached the targeted location, the two individuals immediately fled the scene. Security forces pursued the men, who were carrying weapons. One individual opened fire on the team after forces made several attempts to interdict the suspects. Forces returned fire, killing him.   The second individual continued to evade capture for approximately 30 minutes. Afghan and coalition forces attempted to detain the individual when he threatened the force as they neared his location. Forces fired and killed the individual who was found wearing body armor and carrying grenades.   The joint security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained.  This is an update to IJC News Release #2010-12-S-157