Senior Taliban Commander in Kandahar Killed
 In another operation, Mullah Zergay, the top Taliban commander for the Kandahar City area, was killed by Afghan-international forces in an operation in Zharay district last week.   Zergay’s operations, particularly those using explosive devices are directly responsible for the deaths of many Afghans in Kandahar, Arghandab and Zharay districts. He was also involved in violent intimidation, kidnappings and executions of government employees and village elders.   “Zergay's death is considered to be a major loss for the Taliban leadership in southern Afghanistan,” Shanks said.  
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Kandahar’s Senior Taliban Commander Killed  ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan  2010-06-CA-110  For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 4) – Mullah Zergay, the top Taliban commander for the Kandahar City area, was killed by Afghan-international forces in an operation in Zharay district last week.   Zergay directed insurgent activities in the Arghandab and Zharay districts, including Kandahar City. He used explosives in nearly all of his operations and was directly responsible for multiple deaths in Kandahar city alone. He rose to power through violent intimidation campaigns against civilians and by leading kidnappings and executions of government employees and village elders.   After tracking his location for several weeks, an Afghan-international security force moved to capture Zergay in a Taliban safe haven area south of Kudeza’i in Zharay district. As the assault force approached, several armed insurgents fired on the approaching coalition forces with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. The assault force returned fire, and during the ensuing firefight Zergay and several members of his security detachment were killed.   Zergay’s death is considered to be a major loss for the Taliban leadership in southern Afghanistan.
Editors Note: This operation was first reported in IJC news release 2010-05-CA-107: IJC Operational Update, May 29. Officials have now confirmed Zergay’s death.

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May 29: Afghan-ISAF Operations in Eastern, Southern, Northern Afghanistan ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan  2010-05-CA-107  For Immediate Release

 A separate Afghan-international security force captured a Taliban commander and several individuals suspected of militant activity in Kandahar Province yesterday.  The Taliban commander was captured after the security team interdicted a vehicle in the Panjwa'i district after intelligence information confirmed militant activity. He is responsible for planning and executing attacks against coalition forces and was also involved in kidnappings and weapons facilitation.   The suspects were captured without incident.