ISAF Joint Command- Afghanistan
2011-08-S-024

KABUL, Afghanistan (August 10, 2011) – A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered an anti-personnel mine inside a mosque during a security operation in Zharay district, Kandahar province, yesterday. 
The combined security force initiated a search for a Taliban facilitator, which led them to a mosque. Afghan members of the force entered the mosque to search for the facilitator and, while searching the area, discovered the anti-personnel mine which Taliban insurgents had emplaced on a shelf.  
In respect for the mosque, the combined security force pulled away from the area and made arrangements with local leaders to identify a way to properly neutralize the mine without harming the mosque. Coordination is still ongoing. 
The security force completed the operation, detaining multiple suspected insurgents.  
The target of the operation was a roadside bomb facilitator and attack planner operating in Kandahar City.  In addition, he has supplied weapons and roadside bomb components for attacks against Afghan government officials.