OEF Update, Dec. 31, 2009: Forces Pursue Taliban Commander

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 31, 2009 -- An Afghan-international security force captured suspected militants yesterday in Kandahar province while pursuing a Taliban district commander.

The joint security force searched a vehicle near Kandahar City after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force stopped the vehicle without incident and detained the occupants.

Also in Kandahar last night, an Afghan-international security force detained a suspected militant while searching for a Taliban commander.

The joint force went to a compound in north Kandahar City after intelligence found militant activity. The joint force searched the compound and detained the militant.

In other operations, there were numerous IED and unexploded ordnance finds yesterday. An Afghan-international security force patrol found two 20-pound jugs of explosives in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province. The IEDs were destroyed and no one was injured. In Panjwa district of Kandahar province, a joint force discovered five artillery rounds tied together with wires in a sack. Also in the south, Afghan civilians handed over four artillery shells to ISAF forces in Nad Ali district of Helmand province.

No shots were fired and no one was harmed during any of these operations.

ISAF Casualties:

NATO omitted ISAF casualty reports from today's operational updates.

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