OEF Update, Nov. 6, 2009: Forces Nab Taliban Facilitator in Kandahar; 2 US Casualties

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2009 -- An Afghan-international security force detained a group of suspected militants in Kandahar Province, including a senior Taliban facilitator, Thursday.

The senior Taliban facilitator detained is believed to be responsible for financing and placing suicide bombers and IEDs in the area. This facilitator is also linked to Taliban leadership outside of the country.

The joint security force targeted a compound near the village of Spin Kalacheh, southwest of Kandahar City, after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained five suspected militants, one of which surrendered and identified himself as the Taliban facilitator. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

Afghan and international security forces constantly partner personnel and resources to prevent attacks against civilians and eliminate the Taliban threat by constant pursuit and the promotion of reconciliation.

ISAF Casualties:

Two International Security Assistance Force servicemembers were killed and another servicemember died of wounds in two separate IED strikes in southern Afghanistan yesterday.

It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures of casualties to the relevant national authorities. The two servicemembers killed were from the United States.

(Compiled from NATO International Security Assistance Force news releases.)