ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2010-10-CA-133
For Immediate Release
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KABUL, Afghanistan (Oct. 13) - Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban senior leader for Qal'ah-ye Now, Murghab and Muqor districts of Badghis province yesterday, killing several insurgents in a joint operation in western Herat province.

The Taliban leader is responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, as well as kidnapping operations. He also reportedly planned and directed a recent ambush that killed two Spanish soldiers. Intelligence sources tracked a group of armed insurgents, traveling in desolate terrain in Obeh district. During the initial clearance of the area, the security force took fire from the insurgents.

The security force responded, killing the insurgents. After the area was secure, the joint force recovered multiple automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, along with a machine gun and suicide vest, at the scene.

The Afghan and coalition force's deliberate campaign to disrupt Taliban operations in Badghis and neighboring Faryab provinces has resulted in numerous Taliban senior leaders killed, including the shadow governors for Badghis and Faryab provinces, and one captured, during several operations over the last two weeks.

The International Security Assistance Force is still gathering information to determine if the targeted individual for this operation was among those killed.