Numerous Insurgents Killed in Taliban Command Center Air Strike
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-11-S-263  For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 21, 2010) — International Security Assistance Forces targeted a district level Taliban command and control center during an air strike in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Saturday.  Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led ISAF to the command and control center from which Taliban leaders operated from. Surveillance indicted the Taliban were using the location to control insurgent activities and as a meeting site. Numerous armed insurgents had been seen throughout the day coming and going from the location.  ISAF assessed that a meeting was in progress with several suspected Taliban leaders when it conducted the air strike.  More than 10 insurgents were killed in the air strike.  Initial reports indicate no civilians were harmed in the operation.

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UPDATE: Taliban District Shadow Governor Confirmed Killed in Air Strike
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-11-S-309 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 24, 2010) — International Security Assistance Forces confirmed the death of Mullah Abdul Qayoum, the Sangin district Taliban shadow governor, during an air strike in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Nov. 20.   Mullah Abdul Qayoum was the Sangin district Taliban shadow governor with overall military command for Sangin and northern Helmand. He appointed all leaders, provided guidance and allocated personnel and financial support to all Taliban leaders operating in the area.  He was also the direct conduit of information and guidance from senior Taliban leadership hiding in Pakistan to local Taliban leaders in Sangin and the surrounding areas.   As the senior Taliban leader in the area, he ordered and approved all major attacks against Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF. He also was an expert in the construction and emplacement of improvised explosive devices and had personally carried out numerous attacks against coalition forces.   Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led ISAF to a district level Taliban command and control center that Taliban leaders operated from. Surveillance indicted that the Taliban were using the location to control insurgent activities and as a meeting site. Numerous armed insurgents had been seen throughout the day coming and going from the location.   ISAF assessed that a meeting was in progress with several suspected Taliban leaders when it conducted the air strike.   More than 10 insurgents were killed in the air strike, including Mullah Abdul Qayoum.   Initial reporting indicates no civilians were harmed in the operation.

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UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Result of Helmand Air Strike
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-038 For Immediate Release  KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 3, 2010) — The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the death of Noor Mohammad, A Taliban leader, during an air strike targeting a Taliban command and control center in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Nov. 20.  Noor Mohammad was an improvised explosive device facilitator who planned, coordinated and executed numerous IED attacks against Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF. He was critical to the procurement of IED materials and subsequent construction of IEDs in Sangin district. He worked directly for Mullah Abdul Qayoum who was the Sangin district Taliban shadow governor with overall military command for Sangin and northern Helmand and who was also killed in the same air strike.  Multiple intelligence reports and tips from local citizens led ISAF to a district-level Taliban command and control center that Taliban leaders operated from. Surveillance indicated the Taliban were using the location to control insurgent activities, and as a meeting site. Numerous armed insurgents were seen throughout the day coming and going from the location.  ISAF assessed a meeting of several suspected Taliban leaders was in progress when it conducted the air strike.  Twelve insurgents were killed in the air strike, including Noor Mohammad.  Initial reports indicate no civilians were harmed in the operation.  -30-  This is an update to IJC News Release 2010-11-S-263