name: Afghan-led Force Detains Suspected Insurgents in Kandahar
text: Afghan-led Force Detains Suspected Insurgents in Kandahar
  ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-09-CA-079 For Immediate Release Download PDF
  
   KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 7) - Several suspected insurgents were detained Monday in Kandahar during an Afghan-led operation in pursuit of the Taliban district commander for Dand.  The commander, who profits from weapons trafficking and coordinates attacks, presides over an illegal shadow court that exercises capital punishment.  Acting on intelligence tips, Afghan and coalition forces went to a compound northeast of Hajji Atamohammad Khan in Panjwa'i district to search for the commander. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area. The security force detained the suspected insurgents after interviewing the residents.  Coalition aircraft received heavy fire from multiple insurgent locations on the ground throughout the operation. Coalition aircraft responded with direct fire and by conducting precision air strikes in order to eliminate the enemy threat. A follow-on ground force did not inspect the engagement areas and it is currently unknown how many insurgents were killed.
  
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  UPDATE: Force Confirms Captures of Taliban Leadership
  ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-09-CA-105 For Immediate Release
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  KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 9) - The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of the Taliban deputy district commander for Dand, and another Taliban commander in charge of a kidnapping cell that targets Afghan government officials.  Afghan and coalition forces captured the commanders during an overnight operation in Kandahar province Monday.  Acting on intelligence tips, Afghan and coalition forces went to a compound northeast of Hajji Atamohammad Khan in Panjwa'i district to search for the insurgents. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area.
   The security force detained the commanders along with six of their associates after interviewing the residents.  "These operations target the senior insurgent leaders operating in Afghanistan, creating the time and space necessary for stable governance," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "These Taliban commanders will be held accountable and brought to justice for their actions against the Afghan people."  The ground security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children for the duration of the search.