Coalition Forces Target Insurgent IED Cell with Precision Air Strike
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-221  For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 19) - Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Nangarhar province yesterday targeting an insurgent improvised explosive device cell, killing several insurgents.   One of the targeted individuals is a senior leader who recently assumed his Taliban leadership role after the death of the former district leader. He plans vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces in the region. Additionally, earlier this month, he planned to use 16 individuals as suicide bombers in an attack against Jalalabad Air Field.   Based on intelligence sources, coalition forces tracked the IED cell to an area in Sherzad district. The targeted individuals were observed emplacing an IED on the side of the road. After careful planning to protect any civilians and property in the immediate area, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike.   A follow-on force conducted a ground assessment and recovered a 40-pound IED and IED making material. The ground force assessed at least three insurgents were killed.   Coalition forces conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured during the operation.

---

UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Status of Taliban Leader
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-231 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 20) – The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Qari Hijratullah Nabi, a senior Taliban leader, was killed in a coalition precision air strike along with two insurgents in Nangarhar province Dec. 18.    The targeted individual was a senior leader who recently assumed his Taliban leadership role after the death of the former district leader. He planned vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces in the region. Additionally, earlier this month, he planned to use 16 individuals as suicide bombers in an attack against Jalalabad Airfield.   Based on intelligence sources, coalition forces tracked the IED cell to an area in Sherzad district. The targeted individuals were observed emplacing an IED on the side of the road. After careful planning to protect any civilians and property in the immediate area, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike.   A follow-on force conducted a ground assessment and identified and destroyed a 40-pound explosive device and device-making material. The ground force assessed the Taliban leader and two other insurgents were killed.   Coalition forces conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured during the operation.