Forces Target Armed Taliban Insurgents with Precision Air Strike
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-282 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 25, 2011) – Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike targeting a group of armed insurgents in Gelan district, Ghazni province, killing two insurgents yesterday.   A senior Taliban leader for the district was reportedly in the group of armed insurgents. He is responsible for improvised explosive device and direct fire attacks on coalition forces and the provincial reconstruction team. The Taliban leader is closely associated with other senior leaders in the area. Recent reporting indicates he led a rocket propelled grenade attack on coalition forces.  Following intelligence tips, the precision air strike was conducted after ensuring no civilians were present.  An Afghan and coalition follow-on force conducted a ground assessment verifying two insurgents were killed. The force recovered an AK-47, chest racks, ammunition and IED making material.  The security force went to a weapons storage facility where the armed insurgents were seen earlier in the day. A kinetic strike was conducted on the weapons storage facility after all women and children were removed from the immediate area. A recoilless rifle with 10 rounds, four RPG rounds, and other weapons were found in the building by the security force.  A separate Afghan and coalition force followed leads to the targeted compound where the armed insurgents were also located earlier in the day. Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the building peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained one insurgent based on initial questioning at the scene.  The International Security Assistance Force is still gathering information to confirm if the senior leader was the one of the insurgents killed in the strike.