Afghan, Coalition forces kill one militant, detain one suspect in Kandahar
Kabul, Afghanistan – An armed, barricaded militant was killed and one suspect was detained during a joint operation by Afghan and Coalition forces to capture a key enabler of a Taliban network operating in Kandahar Province.
Information provided by intelligence sources led the combined force to an isolated compound in Maywand District, approximately 60 km northwest of Kandahar City, that purportedly housed an associate of a local Taliban leader who facilitates weapons, ammunition and fighters into northern Kandahar.
Immediately upon arriving at the compound, Afghan forces ensured the safety of all non-combatants by calling for them to exit buildings on the compound.
Five women and 15 children were moved to a separate area while forces attempted to question 27 men who were noticeably under the influence of opium.
One man, who remained barricaded inside a building, rejected multiple calls by Afghan forces to surrender. When measures failed to end the standoff peacefully, forces entered the building and the armed combatant was killed in the encounter.
Forces seized approximately 10 pounds of opium (about 6.5 kg) found on the compound and detained one man for further questioning.