Forces Continue to Deny Sanctuary to Terrorists in Southern Afghanistan
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-098 For Immediate Release Download PDF  KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 9) – Afghan and coalition forces continued efforts to secure major travel routes and hinder Taliban efforts to seek sanctuary during two security operations in Zabul and Kandahar provinces yesterday. The joint security team detained several suspected Taliban members during the operations as they targeted known insurgents in the two provinces.   Forces detained one suspect as they targeted a kidnapper who also facilitates improvised explosive device attacks along Highway 1 in Zabul. Highway 1 is a key link connecting many of southern Afghanistan’s provinces.   The targeted facilitator operates primarily in the Shah Joy district of the province. He is also involved in conducting IED attacks against coalition forces and moving weapons and explosive device materials along the heavily-used thoroughfare.   This operation is one of half a dozen over the past month focusing on IED operations in the Zabul area. Afghan and coalition forces shot and killed Amarat, a key Taliban leader, Nov. 21 and detained a key explosive cell leader Nov. 22 who also targeted the same travel route.   Forces followed leads to a targeted location in the Shah Joy district, where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the individual based on initial questioning at the scene.   The security forces conducted the operations without firing their weapons.