Afghan, Coalition Forces Target Taliban Leaders in Paktiya, Kandahar
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-207 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 19) – Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban leader detaining several suspected insurgents and killing one armed insurgent during an operation yesterday in Paktiya province.   In addition to being the Taliban Gardez district leader, he is also involved in improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces within the province. He maintains ties with several other Taliban leaders. Recent reporting indicates he is planning to transfer weapons from a cache for an upcoming attack.    Intelligence reports led the security force to the targeted compound in the district. As the security force approached the compound they observed two armed insurgents running into a mosque.  At the mosque, Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit peacefully. One armed insurgent exited the mosque peacefully and was detained. The second armed insurgent fired at the security force. The security force attempted, once again, to call out the armed insurgent and he did not comply. After several attempts, the security force escalated their call out procedures before the Afghan security force entered the mosque resulting in one armed insurgent being killed. The security force recovered an AK-47, sniper rifle and ammunition at the scene.   Taliban insurgents in Gardez district have continually used mosques for hideouts. Over the past two months security forces have detained three targeted individuals along with associates hiding in Gardez area mosques. Afghan and coalition forces took every precaution to respect the mosque and all its contents.   The security force continued clearing the targeted compound detaining several additional suspected insurgents. Initial questioning at the scene revealed the men’s involvement in insurgent activities.