Afghan-led force clears enemy safe haven in Kandahar

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.17.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL - An Afghan and coalition security force conducted a multi-day deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the Taliban's freedom of movement outside Kandahar City, killing three insurgents and detaining several more.

One of the insurgents captured was a Taliban weapons and improvised explosive device facilitator who acquires and distributes mines, weapons, ammunition and IED components to Taliban commanders operating in Kandahar City.

Afghan and coalition forces have already detained several members of his network over the last couple of months.

"These clearing operations disrupt the Taliban's decision cycle and make the area safer for its residents, said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "Afghan and coalition forces are fusing, focusing and synchronizing our efforts to disrupt the enemy's sanctuaries and staging areas for attacks into Kandahar City as we work to return the city to its residents."

The security force continued their effort to disrupt enemy safe havens in Kandahar province, this time targeting an area south of Ta'bin-e 'Olya in Arghandab District, an area plagued with improvised explosive device activity and populated with insurgents. Intelligence reports allowed the security force to focus on several compounds in the area, which is known as an enemy staging area for attacks into Kandahar City.

Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call the occupants of several compounds to exit the buildings peacefully and then questioned the residents. At one of the compounds a known Taliban weapons facilitator identified himself to the security force and he was subsequently detained along with two insurgents.

During the operation, armed insurgents engaged the security force with small-arms and mortar fire. The security force returned fire from the ground and from coalition aircraft, killing three insurgents.

The Taliban uses intimidation and threats to force their way into areas outside Kandahar City to stage their attacks. Afghan and coalition forces are focusing on clearing known safe havens around the city and denying the insurgents use of these areas.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2010
• Date Posted: 09.17.2010 05:03
• Story ID: 56456
• Location: KABUL, AF