HERAT PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army special forces soldiers from the 9th Special Operations Kandak detained two Taliban leaders Sept. 26 in Herat province’s Guzarah district.
Afghan Special Forces assaulted Mohham Daud and Mohham Shafiq’s hideaway near Herat city hours before dawn. Tactical ground teams began the complex operation by closing off any escape routes the militant commander might use to flee.
Daud attempted to break through the ANASF barrier armed with a machine gun. ANASF returned fire, forcing him to surrender. Daud sustained a gunshot wound during the engagement.
Afghan special forces also captured Daud’s father, Mohhamd Shafiq, during the operation.
Col. Mir Abdullah, 2nd Special Operation Brigade operations officer, praised the 9th SOK soldiers, highlighting their continued efforts to secure Afghanistan from Taliban militants
Both Daud and Shafiq are Taliban commanders, known for smuggling foreign suicide bombers into numerous provinces throughout Afghanistan. Daud is also a well-known narcotics network leader in the Delaram and Gulistan districts.
ANASF soldiers also raided Daud’s home in Nimroz province’s Delaram District later the same day. Afghan Special Forces are pressuring insurgents in Delaram due to increased attacks on coalition and Afghan forces along Highway 1.