Monday, September 17, 2012

Taliban insider attacker killed in NATO airstrike in Kunar

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of the Taliban insurgent behind the May 11 insider attack that killed one coalition service member.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force following a statement on Monday announced, the insurgent, known as Mahmood, was killed in an Afghan and coalition airstrike in Bar Kunar district, Kunar province, Saturday. The successful strike was the result of Afghan and coalition efforts to track down and find insurgents involved with insider attacks.

Also killed in the strike were more than a dozen armed insurgents, including several Taliban leaders operating in the region. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to any civilian structures.

The source further added, Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Asadullah, an al-Qaida-associated facilitator, during a security operation in Asadabad district, Kunar province, Saturday.

Asadullah was positively identified during an Afghan and coalition security operation and engaged with a precision airstrike after it was determined no civilians were in the area. Asadullah supported operations of terrorist networks, organizing and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Watahpur Valley. He is also believed to be behind an Aug. 8 suicide attack. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

ISAF following the statement also added, Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Mullah Jalal, the Taliban leader for Ghaziabad district, Kunar province, during a security operation Saturday. The security force positively identified Mullah Jalal during the operation in northeastern Kunar and, after determining no civilians were in the area, engaged him with a precision airstrike.

Mullah Jalal is suspected of controlling all Taliban activity in Ghaziabad and, prior to his death, issued plans to increase attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He also met frequently with other Taliban senior leaders to discuss strategies against the local Afghan forces. At the time of the airstrike, Mullah Jalal and multiple armed insurgents were preparing attacks on nearby Afghan security forces. Several of the armed insurgents were also killed during the operation. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

In a separate operation, Afghan and coalition security force killed Rashid, a Taliban attack specialist, during a security operation in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, ISAF said following the statemetn adding that as the security force approached Rashid’s location, the attack specialist and several armed insurgents fired upon the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force returned fire, killing Rashid and several other insurgents. No civilians were harmed in the exchange.

Rashid, also known as Zubair, is believed to have planned and conducted several ambush-style attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in recent months. He had been known to use mortars, heavy machine guns and mines to conduct these ambush attacks. At the time of his death, the Rashid was involved in attempting to acquire additional weapons to support further insurgent attacks in the region. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized several assault rifles as a result of this operation.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Mon Sep 17, 11:38 am

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