ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2011-01-S-078 For Immediate Release
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KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 7, 2011) – Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader during a security operation in Zabul province yesterday.

The Taliban leader is an improvised explosive device emplacer operating in Qalat district. He is responsible for emplacing explosive devices specifically targeting coalition-force vehicles in the district. Recent reporting indicates he wanted a video tape of suicide bombings in order to plan future suicide attacks against coalition forces.

Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the targeted Taliban leader based on initial questioning at the scene.

With the capture of the Taliban leader yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces have detained more than 10 Taliban senior leaders and facilitators along with more than 40 suspected Taliban insurgents since the beginning of the year.

No women or children were injured or detained during this operation and the security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.