July 11: ISAF Operations in Ghazni, Kandahar Provinces ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan  2010-07-CA-058  For Immediate Release

A separate Afghan-international security force killed two insurgents and detained a number of suspected insurgents during an operation targeting two Taliban commanders in Kandahar province last night. The commanders are responsible for improvised explosive device (IED) and complex attacks against Afghan and international forces in southern Arghandab district and Kandahar City, and also supply weapons and IEDs to the Arghandab insurgent network. The security force targeted an area known to be a safe-haven for Taliban fighters near the village of Khersak. After clearing and securing the surrounding area, the security force went to two separate compounds in search of the commanders. As the security force approached the first compound, two insurgents armed with automatic weapons engaged them and then attempted to flee. Coalition forces pursued them, and the insurgents were killed with precision air fire. As the security force continued clearing the area they discovered a large house-borne IED which they secured. At a second compound, Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the building and then cleared and secured the building. No civilians or security forces were injured during the operation.   "Afghan and international partners will continue a constant presence in and around the Kandahar province as they work toward stabilizing the area," said Col. William Maxwell, ISAF Joint Command's director of Combined Joint Operations Center.