ISAF Targets Senior Taliban Leader in Airstrike
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-150 For Immediate Release Download PDF  KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 14) – A senior Taliban leader was targeted in an International Security Assistance Force airstrike in Pasaband district, Ghor province, yesterday.   The target of the operation is a facilitator of money and small arms who specialized in improvised explosive device construction. He is known to have planned, coordinated and executed numerous IED and direct fire attacks against Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF.   Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led ISAF to the senior Taliban leader’s location. ISAF tracked the leader for several hours and as he was leaving a known insurgent location, he was engaged with a precision airstrike while travelling on his motorcycle with another insurgent.  ISAF is currently assessing the identity of those killed. Initial reports indicate there were no civilians harmed during the operation.

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UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Status of Senior Taliban Leader
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-12-S-285 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 24, 2010) – The International Security Assistance force confirmed that a senior Taliban leader was killed in an air strike in Pasaband district, Ghor province, Dec. 13.   Shafiq, the targeted senior Taliban leader, was a facilitator of money and small arms who specialized in improvised explosive device construction. He planned, coordinated and executed numerous IED and direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.   Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led ISAF to Shafiq’s location. Forces tracked him for several hours and as he was leaving a known insurgent location, he was engaged with a precision air strike while travelling on his motorcycle with another insurgent.  Initial reports indicate there were no civilians harmed during the operation.