Afghan, Coalition Forces Target Taliban Leader in Kunduz
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-108 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 10, 2011) – Afghan and coalition forces targeted the Taliban leader of Khanabad district, detaining two suspected combatants and killing more than 10 armed combatants during an operation yesterday in Kunduz province.  In addition to being the Khanabad district leader, the Taliban leader is also an improvised explosive device and weapons facilitator within the province. He maintains ties with several senior Taliban leaders who are in Pakistan.   Intelligence reports led the security force to the targeted compound in Archi district. As the joint security force arrived, armed combatants shot at them with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. The security force returned fire resulting in several armed combatants being killed.   The security force continued to the compound where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the compound. One of the women who complied and exited the compound informed the security force that there were armed combatants in the building.  The security force attempted to call out the armed combatants and they did not comply. After several attempts, the security force escalated their call out procedures before entering the building, resulting in one armed insurgent being killed.  As the security force was moving to secure another building within the compound, they were once again fired upon by armed combatants. The security force returned fire killing several armed combatants.   The security force indentified additional armed combatants who were firing at the force and attempting to evade them. The armed combatants were engaged resulting in numerous more combatants being killed.   After the compound was secure, two suspected combatants were detained based on initial questioning at the scene and their involvement in insurgent activities. Security forces recovered AK-47s, chest racks and ammunition from the scene.   The assault force protected the women and children for the duration of the search.

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UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Status of Taliban Leaders
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-119 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 11, 2011) — The International Security Assistance Force confirmed two Taliban leaders have been killed while a third Taliban leader was detained during Afghan and coalition operations in Kunar and Kunduz provinces Jan. 8 and 9.  On Jan. 9, Afghan and coalition forces killed Maulawi Zahir, the Taliban leader of Khanabad district of Kunduz province.  In addition to being the Khanabad district leader, Maulawi Zahir was also an improvised explosive device and weapons facilitator within the province. He maintained ties with several senior Taliban leaders who are in Pakistan.  Also killed during the operation was Zabit Murchak, an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Taliban leader for Takhar and Kunduz provinces. He is responsible for attacks on tribesmen in northern Afghanistan. Recent reporting indicates he was involved in the recent kidnapping of a Dutch non-governmental organization worker.  This is an update to IJC News Release #2011-01-S-091/097/108