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2012-09-S-025


KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 17)
Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Mullah Jalal, the Taliban leader for Ghaziabad district, Kunar province, during a security operation Saturday. The security force positively identified Mullah Jalal during the operation in northeastern Kunar and, after determining no civilians were in the area, engaged him with a precision airstrike. Mullah Jalal is suspected of controlling all Taliban activity in Ghaziabad and, prior to his death, issued plans to increase attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He also met frequently with other Taliban senior leaders to discuss strategies against the local Afghan forces. At the time of the airstrike, Mullah Jalal and multiple armed insurgents were preparing attacks on nearby Afghan security forces. Several of the armed insurgents were also killed during the operation. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.