KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the
death of an
al-Qaida operative following a precision airstrike in
Watahpur district,
Kunar province, Friday.
Abu Saif, also known as Haidar Baba, worked with Kunar al-Qaida leaders
Yusuf and Mufti Assad, and was killed by Afghan and coalition forces
Aug. 31, along with two other insurgents. Abu Saif was also a known
associate of al-Qaida leader Hanzallah, who was killed along with
several of his fighters in a July 1 operation in Kunar.
Abu Saif is believed to have served as cross-border facilitator and
involved in moving al-Qaida’s media operation into Afghanistan. He also
acted as a conduit between senior al-Qaida leaders, passing messages
between terrorist leaders in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
During the operation, the security force observed several individuals
engaged in terrorist activity. After ensuring no civilians were in the
area, the security force conducted a precision airstrike killing the
terrorists.
A post-strike assessment determined no civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed.
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:
South
An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban network leader
during an operation in
Kandahar district,
Kandahar province, today. The
Taliban leader is believed to have directed the distribution of weapons
and explosives throughout an insurgent network in central Kandahar. The
arrested leader is also believed to have planned several high-profile
attacks in the region, including those against Afghan and coalition
security checkpoints. Prior to his arrest, the Taliban network leader
was believed to be acquiring weapons and
improvised explosive devices
for an imminent attack. The security force also detained several
suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.
Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the arrest of a Taliban
explosives supplier during an operation in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar
province, Thursday. The suspected explosives supplier is believed to
have coordinated improvised explosive device attacks and provided bombs
and weapons to insurgents operating in the region.
Southwest
An Afghan and coalition security force detained multiple suspected
insurgents and seized several kilograms of explosive material during an
operation in Nad ‘Ali district,
Helmand province, today. The operation
targeted a Taliban insurgent network conducting attacks throughout
western Helmand.
Washington Time
Kabul Time
London Time
