ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2010-08-CA-184
For Immediate Release
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 KABUL, Afghanistan (Aug. 16) - An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected Taliban insurgents in Paktika province Sunday including a Taliban commander and a facilitator.

The security force targeted a series of tents in the remote Mota Khan district in pursuit of the commander who advises the Paktika Ambush Network on their operations and the facilitator who also traffics explosives, ammunition and weapons to insurgent fighters in the area. Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the tents peacefully and then secured the area. After questioning the residents, the security force identified and detained the commander and facilitator along with five additional suspected insurgents. The assault force found multiple automatic weapons with ammunition and magazines at the scene.

"These Taliban leaders participated in nefarious activities, including ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.

"Afghan and coalition force operations like this one degrade the Taliban's operation in Paktika province and neighboring Ghazni province." The assault force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children throughout the search.