Forces Conduct Precision Air Strike on Taliban Leader in Zabul
ISAF Joint Command – Afghanistan 2011-01-S-312 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 27, 2011) — Coalition forces targeted an insurgent leader with a precision air strike, killing two suspected insurgents in Zabul province today.  The targeted individual is a Taliban leader responsible for improvised explosive device and direct-fire attacks, kidnappings and assassinations along Highway 1. He operates primarily in the province’s Tarnek wa Jaldak district, where the strike took place, and is directly involved with other Taliban leaders.  Forces tracked the individual based on recent intelligence reports indicating he is planning multiple attacks against both local Afghans and coalition forces. He is involved in the coordination of weapons movement and placement to support such attacks.  Forces called in the precision strike after the suspected insurgents were isolated in a remote area. The coalition forces ensured no civilians or compounds were in the immediate area.  The International Security Assistance Force is still gathering information to confirm if the targeted individual was one of the insurgents killed in the strike.

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UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Status of Detained Taliban Leaders
ISAF Joint Command – Afghanistan 2011-01-S-322 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 28, 2011) — The International Security Assistance Force confirmed two Taliban leaders were detained and Noorani Sahib, a Taliban leader was killed during Afghan and coalition forces operations in Kandahar, Nimroz and Zabul provinces Jan. 23, 25 and yesterday respectively.  Noorani Sahib was a Taliban leader responsible for improvised explosive device and direct-fire attacks, kidnappings and assassinations along Highway 1. He operated primarily in Zabul province’s Tarnek wa Jaldak district and was directly involved with other Taliban leaders. Recent intelligence reports indicated he was planning multiple attacks against both local Afghans and coalition forces.  This is an update to IJC News Release #’s 2011-01-S-270/296/312