Coalition Forces Kill Taliban Commander With Precision Air Strike
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-09-CA-277 For Immediate Release  Download PDF  KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 25) - Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Paktika province Friday, killing Halel, a Taliban sub-commander directly linked to last week's election attacks. Halel helped conduct indirect fire and improvised explosive device attacks.   The security force also recovered a significant amount of IED material and weapons at the scene.   Based on intelligence sources following an earlier attack against coalition forces, the combined force tracked Halel to a remote area southeast of the village of Nazar Mohammad Kala in Yahya Khel district. After careful planning to ensure no civilians were present, coalition aircraft conducted a precision air strike against the commander.   A follow-on ground force went to the engagement site to assess the results of the strike. The security force confirmed four insurgents, including Halel, were killed and also discovered and destroyed a significant weapons cache including multiple automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades and various types of ammunition.   The security force also searched several area compounds. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compounds peacefully and then the combined force cleared and secured the compounds.   The security force discovered a significant amount of IED material including multiple remote transmitters, detonation cord, batteries and homemade explosives. They also found multiple mortars, an RPG motor and machine gun ammunition.   All of the weapons were destroyed at the scene.   After initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained two insurgents for additional questioning. The security force protected the women and children throughout the search.