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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48966

Coalition Forces Disrupt Taliban Networks

American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2008 – Several armed insurgents were killed and nine armed individuals were detained during two separate coalition forces operations yesterday to disrupt Taliban command and control networks.

Coalition forces conducted an operation in the Tarin Kowt district of Oruzgan province targeting a Taliban leader responsible for conducting anti-government activities in the area, and a group of insurgents on motorcycles associated with him. Aerial-delivered conventional munitions destroyed the motorcycles and killed a number of insurgents.

In a follow-on assessment, coalition forces searched compounds in the district targeting the Oruzgan-based Taliban leader and his associates hiding in the area. A number of armed insurgents were killed with small-arms fire while coalition forces searched the compound. Several AK-47 assault rifles, ammunition vests and grenades were recovered and removed to prevent their use by enemy forces.

Coalition forces found and detained three armed individuals during their search. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement in Taliban operations as well as other illegal activities, officials said.

As a precautionary measure, coalition forces temporarily delayed a vehicle headed toward the area to protect the occupants from hostilities. The vehicle and occupants were released without incident after the operation.

Afghan and coalition forces also searched compounds for a Taliban leader with links to foreign-fighter facilitators in the Qalat district of Zabul province.

Afghan and coalition forces found and detained six individuals, including one identified as the targeted Taliban leader, during the operation.

“Coalition forces’ continued degradation of insurgent networks is paving the way for the Afghan people to chart the future course of their country,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a coalition forces spokeswoman.

(From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)