Newly Appointed Helmand-based Taliban Commander Targeted
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-09-CA-284 For Immediate Release Download PDF  KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 26) - Afghan and coalition security forces detained several suspected insurgents in Helmand province Saturday while in pursuit of a dual-hatted Taliban civil and military commander for Lashkar Gah and Nahr-e Saraj districts.   The recently appointed commander was forced to take over the role of military commander after his predecessor was captured earlier this month.   Intelligence reports led the security force to a compound in the village of Mohammad Jan Kalay in Nahr-e Saraj district to search for the commander. As the security force approached the targeted compound, several individuals ran from the compound. The security force pursued and detained them peacefully.   At the targeted compound, Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then the joint security force cleared and secured the area. After initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained additional suspected insurgents.   The assault force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children for the duration of the search.