Forces Target Insurgent Leadership in Khost, Helmand
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-144 For Immediate Release Download PDF  KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 13)   In Helmand province, Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban facilitator who operates in Durzay village, detaining several suspected insurgents during a security operation yesterday.   The Taliban facilitator has direct contact with Taliban leaders in the area. He provides reports on Taliban attacks and information on coalition force movements to Taliban leaders located in Pakistan. The Taliban facilitator is involved with opium processing and trafficking to finance and facilitate insurgent operations. Due to increased Afghan and coalition presence he emplaced improvised explosive devices in the village to protect himself from future Afghan and coalition missions targeting him, according to recent reporting.   Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Garm Ser district, where they secured the area and conducted a search. The security team detained two suspected insurgents based on initial questioning at the scene.   A separate security force went to a second targeted location in the district, where they secured the area and conducted a search. Several suspected insurgents were detained based on their insurgent activities during initial questioning.   No women or children were injured or detained during the Helmand operation and the security force did not fire their weapons.