Taliban commander detained during combined operation

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

08.21.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL - Afghan and coalition members on a combined mission detained a Taliban commander and two additional suspected commanders in Baghlan province Friday.

The operation, which occurred in the Pul-e Khumri District, was carried out after International Security Assistance Force service members received a tip the commander was hiding in a village near their location.

Upon entering the village, Afghan and coalition forces approached the house where the commander was believed to be and took him and two others into custody. While the Afghan forces were apprehending the three people, they also disarmed thee separate individuals who were attempting to acquire weapons from within the house, according to reports.

During the encounter, a seventh person went to the roof of the house and pointed a weapon at the joint patrol and the patrol engaged the person. After the firing stopped, members of the patrol were not able to locate the person firing from the rooftop.

Insurgents again fired on the force with small arms fire from a tree line several minutes later, but the firing stopped after the force returned fire, according to the report.

The three individuals detained in the operation were turned over the Afghan National Police for processing.

"We will continue to act on tips and intelligence reports to apprehend Taliban commanders," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "We will take every precaution to take these criminals into custody without firing our weapons and to protect the innocent people who the Taliban are attempting to hide behind."

• Date Taken: 08.21.2010
• Date Posted: 08.21.2010 13:10
• Story ID: 54964
• Location: KABUL, AF