ISAF Joint Command morning operational update

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.22.2011

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – In Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force killed a significant Taliban leader and one of his associates during a security operation Tuesday.

A precision air strike killed Taliban leader, Qari Tahir, after the security force located Tahir and an associate in a dry riverbed in Sayyidabad district.

Tahir coordinated ambush attacks against Afghan forces and led fighters under his control to conduct hijackings of convoy vehicles. Additionally, he facilitated abductions and held his hostages for ransom.

Tahir was the Taliban’s top leader in Tangi Valley and was the target of a previous combined operation on Aug. 5, 2011, that resulted in the loss of the CH-47 Chinook last month. He led a group of insurgent fighters throughout the valley and was known to use roadside bombs and rockets to intimidate the local populace.

After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the force called for the air strike which resulted in the death of Tahir and another insurgent. This year, the security force conducted more than 40 security operations in the Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, killed 35 insurgents and detained more than 80 suspected insurgents.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

A combined Afghan and coalition security conducted a security operation in search of an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan suicide bomber in Imam Sahib district, Kunduz province, yesterday. The suicide bomber coordinates the purchase and movement of weapons, roadside bombs and suicide bombers from Takhar province to Kunduz province. The force detained seven suspect insurgents during the operation.

South

In Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, coalition forces discovered 10 IEDs while patrolling near a village yesterday. The security force cordoned off the area and called in an explosive ordnance disposal unit, which safely destroyed the IEDs. There were no reports of casualties or property damage during this operation.

Also in the south, a combined Afghan and coalition patrol discovered an IED cache in Zharay district, Kandahar province, yesterday. The cache consisted of 12 IEDs, each comprised of approximately 18 pounds (eight kilograms) of homemade explosives. The items were seized by the combined force and safely destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted a security operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, yesterday. The leader facilitates the movement of new fighters from Pakistan and places them under the control of other Taliban leaders in the area. During the operation, the security force detained multiple suspected insurgents.

East

Lastly, a combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani network leader during a security operation in Bak district, Khost province, yesterday. The leader moved roadside bombs across the border and throughout Khost province. He planned vehicle bomb attacks and facilitated insurgents with weapons and equipment. In addition, the security force detained two suspected insurgents and confiscated weapons and ammunition during the operation.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2011
• Date Posted: 09.22.2011 02:02
• Story ID: 77413
• Location: KABUL, AF