Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Overall Taliban Leader for Zharay District
Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Overall Taliban Leader for Zharay District
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-02-S-196 For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 26, 2011) — Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces detained the overall Taliban leader for Zharay district along with numerous suspected insurgents during an operation in Kandahar province yesterday.  The leader organized and coordinated Taliban attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district. He was actively recruiting replacements for two top Taliban leaders who were detained during recent operations. The leader recently returned from Chaman, Pakistan in preparation for the spring fighting season. He had strong ties to Taliban leaders in the area to include the Taliban deputy Kandahar district shadow governor.  Intelligence reports led the security force to the targeted compound in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The Taliban leader and numerous suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning at the scene for involvement in insurgent activity. 