Afghan-Led Security Force Detains Suspected Insurgents in Kunduz
2010-08-CA-144 For Immediate Release    KABUL, Afghanistan (Aug. 13) - An Afghan and coalition security forces detained several suspected insurgents and recovered an automatic grenade launcher in Kunduz province Thursday while in pursuit of a Taliban deputy commander for Chahar Darah district.   The commander is known to plan attacks against Afghan civilians, as well as Afghan and coalition forces, and is known to teach local children how to make improvised explosive devices.   "The Taliban put Afghan civilians at risk daily with their attacks. Now we hear the Taliban are involving children in the production of these weapons. This organization is nothing more than an oppressive and violent terrorist group that has no interest in the Afghan people," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.   The security force targeted a series of compounds south of Kunduz City in Chahar Darah district to search for the commander. Afghan forces called for all residents to exit the compounds, and then secured the area. After questioning the residents, the assault force detained the suspected insurgents. During the search, an air weapons team was engaged by enemy fire from a grenade launcher. The air weapons team responded to the threat by engaging the position of origin, but the insurgents fled after they fired the launcher. The ground force later moved to the location and recovered the grenade launcher.   The security force protected the women and children throughout the search.