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KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition security forces continue to aggressively target Haqqani Network and Taliban commanders responsible for the planning of indiscriminate improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan civilians and candidates of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Several Haqqani Network leaders and other Talban leaders were captured during offensive operations this week.
Clear rules of engagement and extreme measures were taken to avoid civilian casualties during all 24 operations, resulted in 84 percent conducted without shots fired. The Afghan-led operations resulting in no civilian casualties and more than 50 suspected insurgents detained.
The security force struck at Haqqani Network leadership operating in eastern Afghanistan again this week. The combined force captured a Haqqani sub-commander Thursday, who facilitated weapons movements into the Gardez District of Paktiya and the following day captured a Haqqani weapons and IED material facilitator operating in the Khost village of Warghah. The security force detained the facilitator and 10 additional suspected insurgents during the operation.
Security forces captured two more Haqqani commanders over the weekend.
The first was a senior Haqqani commander operating in Khost province, who reportedly received approximately 120 IEDs for planned attacks during the upcoming elections. Another Haqqani commander for two insurgent cells was captured after coalition forces conducted a precision strike on his vehicle. The vehicle contained multiple automatic weapons, an anti-aircraft machine gun with 850 rounds of ammunition, rocket propelled grenades, sniper ammunition, and IED material including multiple blasting caps and a detonation device. The strike also killed some of the commander's associates.
Additionally, a joint-security force detained several suspected insurgents in Helmand province Monday, including a Taliban sub-commander who facilitated weapons and logistics for the Taliban fighters operating in Lashkar Gah District.
"We're stepping up our operations to help prevent violent extremists from threatening Afghan sovereignty," said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "Our continuing efforts are meant to secure Afghanistan, providing the time and space necessary for enduring governance and development initiatives to take root."
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2010 03:58 |
| Story ID: | 53924 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 211 |
| Downloads: | 204 |
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