Forces Target Taliban’s ‘Next in Line’ in Helmand
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-204 For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 18, 2010) – Afghan and coalition forces detained several individuals in their pursuit of Taliban leaders in Afghanistan’s southern provinces during two operations in Helmand and Kandahar provinces yesterday.   In neighboring Kandahar province, Afghan and coalition forces conducted a security operation in Zharay district against a Taliban weapons facilitator in Kandahar province yesterday.   The forces detained several suspects while targeting an individual who is a Kandahar-based weapons facilitator providing a direct tie to other Taliban leaders in the province.   The joint security team followed leads from intelligence reports indicating the targeted individual travels through Nimroz province to facilitate the movement of weapons.   Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the targeted buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The Afghan and coalition forces detained the suspects based on initial questioning at the scene.   The joint security teams conducted these operations in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during these operations.   The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.

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UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Capture of Cross-Border Weapons Facilitator


ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-259 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 22) – The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Afghan and coalition forces captured a key Taliban weapons facilitator in Zharay district, Kandahar province, Dec. 18.   The joint security team specifically targeted the individual for facilitating the movement of weapons between Iran and Kandahar through Nimroz province. The now-detained man was considered a Kandahar-based weapons facilitator with direct ties to other Taliban leaders in the province.   Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call out the occupants from the targeted buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The Afghan and coalition forces detained two additional suspects based on initial questioning at the scene.   The joint security teams conducted this operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation.   The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.   This is an update to IJC News #2010-12-S-204

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CORRECTION: ISAF Clarifies Status of Cross-border Weapons Facilitator
 ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-280 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 24, 2010) – The International Security Assistance Force has determined a cross-border weapons facilitator detained Dec. 18 is not a member of the Iranian Qods force, as was originally reported.  Initial intelligence reports led ISAF to believe he was a member of the force, but after gathering more information, it was determined that while the individual may be affiliated with several insurgent-related organizations, he is not a member of the Qods group.  A joint security team specifically targeted the individual for facilitating the movement of weapons between Iran and Kandahar through Nimroz province. The detained man was considered a Kandahar-based weapons facilitator with direct ties to other Taliban leaders in the province.