Afghan, Coalition Forces Target Taliban Facilitator for ANSF Recruiting Center Attack
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-097 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 9) – Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban facilitator involved in the planning and execution of the Dec. 19 attack against an Afghan National Security Force recruiting center in Kunduz City during a security operation detaining five suspected insurgents in Kunduz province yesterday.  The Dec. 19 attack resulted in four Afghan soldiers and four police officers being killed when Taliban insurgents stormed the center wearing suicide vests.  The targeted Taliban facilitator is responsible for the distribution and use of improvised explosive devices and suicide vehicle-borne IEDs in the province. He is directly associated with the Kunduz Taliban shadow governor and deputy shadow governor and maintains contact with other Taliban insurgents throughout Afghanistan. Recent reporting indicates he is involved in assassination attempts on the Kunduz governor and other Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials.  A joint security force followed intelligence reports to the targeted compound in the district. Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before the joint security force cleared and secured the buildings. After initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained five suspected insurgents.  The security force conducted the operation without firing their weapons.  No women or children were injured or detained during this operation.

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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. 8, Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban facilitator involved in the planning and execution of the Dec. 19 attack against an Afghan National Security Force recruiting center in Kunduz City.  The Dec. 19 attack against an Afghan National Security Force recruiting center in Kunduz City resulted in eight Afghan National Security Force deaths.  The Taliban facilitator was responsible for the distribution and use of improvised explosive devices and suicide vehicle-borne IEDs in the province. He was directly associated with the Kunduz Taliban shadow governor and deputy shadow governor and maintains contact with other Taliban insurgents throughout Afghanistan.  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