Airstrike Kills Key Taliban Fighter in Afghanistan

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 27, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces used a precision airstrike to kill a key Taliban leader in Afghanistan’s Wardak province yesterday, military officials reported.

The combined security force conducted the airstrike in Wardak’s Sayyidabad district, resulting in the death of a man they said was responsible for providing weapons and logistical support to insurgents for ambush and roadside-bomb attacks along the main thoroughfare, Highway 1.

The force called for the airstrike after ensuring no civilians were in the area, officials said, and following the strike, they assessed the area and determined no civilians were harmed.

In other operations around the front lines in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined force killed a Taliban leader and two of his associates as they attempted to place a roadside bomb in the Chahar Bolak district of Balkh province. The leader organized and participated in attacks against Afghan forces, and distributed roadside bombs and weapons throughout the region. Multiple weapons and the roadside bomb were confiscated from the scene, and no civilians were harmed.

-- In the Chahar Darah district of Kunduz province, a combined security force captured a Taliban leader who had organized a group of insurgent fighters and was responsible for roadside bombs and direct-fire attacks throughout the region. Another suspected insurgent was detained.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader in the Dahanah-ye Ghori district of Baghlan province. The leader oversaw insurgent fighters and conducted large-scale attacks against Afghan forces and orchestrated bomb networks. The security force also detained another suspected insurgent.

-- Also in Kunduz, a combined force detained a Taliban member who specialized in the construction and transportation of roadside bombs for use in attacks against Afghan forces throughout the region.

-- In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined force found and seized nine hand grenades, nine grenade fuses and 350 7.62 mm rounds.

-- In Kandahar’s Panjwai district, a combined force detained a Taliban leader who trafficked weapons and explosives and planned attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force in the Zurmat district of Paktia province found 38 mortar canisters, various mortar rounds, an antipersonnel mine and five 105 mm rockets. The combined force blocked off the area to protect civilians, and an explosive ordnance disposal team safely removed the items.

-- In the Andar district of Ghazni province, a combined force found and seized an assault rifle and more than 1,200 7.62 mm and 9 mm rounds.

-- A combined force in the Behsud district of Nangarhar province found and seized nearly 8,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, which is used as an explosive.