Taliban Commander, Several Insurgents Detained by Afghan-led Force in Kandahar
 ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-08-CA-014  For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (August 2) - An Afghan and coalition security force detained several Taliban insurgents in Kandahar province last night including a Taliban commander involved in improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against Afghan civilians, Afghan and coalition forces.  The commander was also involved in the facilitation of weapons, munitions and IED materials.  Afghan civilians often stumble upon emplaced IEDs, which is what happened Sunday when a minibus struck one outside Kandahar City, killing six onboard. Taliban-led conflicts have claimed the lives of more than 1,100 civilians and injured more than 1,300 others since the beginning of this year in Afghanistan, according to the Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Zamarai Bashari.  "Taliban insurgents are purposely targeting civilians with IEDs, causing horrific and unacceptable death and destruction," Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "These criminals will be pursued and brought to justice within the Afghan court system."  The security force targeted a series of compounds in Arghandab district of Kandahar province after intelligence indicated the Taliban insurgents had forced their way into one of the compounds. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the buildings and then secured the area. After questioning all of the residents, the security force identified and detained the commander and his associates.   "The Taliban use weapons and intimidation to force their way into the compounds of innocent civilians. They conduct their illegal and dangerous activities there, inevitably putting innocent women and children at risk," said Torres.  The security force discovered multiple automatic weapons with magazines and chest racks at the scene. Afghan and coalition forces did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children throughout the search.