name: Force Conducts Operation Targeting Taliban Commander
text: Force Conducts Operation Targeting Taliban Commander
  ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-09-CA-127 For Immediate Release Donwload PDF
  KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 12) - Afghan and coalition forces killed five insurgents in Nangarhar province overnight, including Qari Wali, a Taliban operational commander who participated in intimidation campaigns and assassinations.  Qari Wali was directly linked to a February suicide bomber attack that killed Khogyani elder, Haji Zaman.  Intelligence reports also indicate the commander was planning to conduct rocket attacks against area voting centers during the elections next week.  "The Afghan people deserve to cast their votes without fear of attacks from the insurgent groups; we are tracking them and taking action before they're able to carry out their plans," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.  Afghan and coalition forces targeted a compound in the village of Kambu in Khugyani district to search for the commander. Afghan and coalition forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compounds peacefully, however some residents were unresponsive.  As the security force moved to breach the compound, several armed insurgents inside the compound displayed hostile intent.  The security force engaged and killed five insurgents, including Qari Wali. They also discovered multiple weapons and a grenade on the scene. The security force protected the women and children for the duration of the search.