BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan National Security Force element, led by the 203rd Commando Kandak, and conducted a series of raids throughout Sabari District in Khowst Province Dec. 27 – 28.
The force consisted of Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Afghan National Border Police. The operation was unprecedented in terms of successfully capturing multiple suspected insurgent commanders without the use of lethal force, and the excellent cooperation between the Afghan Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior.
On the first night, the combined force acted on credible intelligence to search an area of known insurgent activity near Zambar Village, Sabari District, Khowst Province.
Northern Sabari District has been a main insurgent safe haven in Khowst Province for some time. Insurgents have used the Zambar Village area to provide command and control for insurgent activities and as a staging area for improvised-explosive-device production.
 A significant event during the operation was the arrest of a suspected major insurgent facilitator in northern Khowst Province primarily associated with the Hizb-e-Islami-Gulbuddin terrorist organization, and believed to have ties to the Haqqani Network, the Taliban and al Qaida. He is suspected of directing IED attacks, antagonizing feuding tribes in the area and facilitating other insurgent activities detrimental to the positive development of Afghanistan.
  “Capturing this terrorist should significantly improve the security situation in Sabari District,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. “His arrest will help stabilize the area by eliminating an antagonist causing tribal conflicts in the region. Additionally, the IED cell under him will no longer have his level of guidance, logistical support or discrete cover to conduct IED attacks.”
The ANP, assisted by the 203rd Commandos, also arrested a suspected deputy Taliban commander during the operation. Evidence points to him being involved in several direct attacks in the Sabari district, and he was implicated in the destruction of the Zambar Village School. In addition, according to reports, he was responsible for a number of IED attacks that killed several ANP soldiers. 
Several other insurgents were captured, including a suspected insurgent responsible for providing financial support to IED cells in the Sabari district. Another suspected insurgent was implicated in stealing from Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan employees, transporting weapons, assisting IED-placement facilitators and delivering terrorizing ‘night letters’ to intimidate local villagers.
Another man detained on the evening of Dec. 27 was suspected of facilitating an unsuccessful suicide-bomb attack on the governor of Khowst Province Aug. 22. He is also suspected of coordinating several insurgent activities and successful attacks against ANP units.
The last suspected insurgent detained Dec. 27 is believed to be directly involved in attacks on various schools, police check points and IRoA officials.
Follow-on operations conducted Dec. 28 included clearing the Makhtab Bazaar area in the Sabari District, suspected of functioning as a base of operations and center for insurgent activities.
The Commandos searched the bazaar for weapons caches and suspected insurgent activities, and the ANP detained several individuals suspected of criminal activity.
One detainee captured by the Commandos during that mission is suspected of identifying locations for IED emplacement along roadways throughout the province and conducting vehicle-borne IED attacks against ANSF and Coalition forces.
Another person detained is suspected of being a former HiG commander and financier for insurgent activities throughout the Sabari District. Finally, another suspected insurgent was detained for his alleged involvement in an October attack on the Khulbesat Police Station, where one police officer was killed and four were injured.
 “Detaining these individuals will likely cause a significant disruption of insurgent activities in Sabari District,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force – 82 spokesman. 
The combined Afghan force conducted the two-day operation without a shot being fired. The 203rd Commando commander was impressed with the skill, professionalism and discipline of his forces throughout all phases of the operation.
“I thought their performance was outstanding,” said the commander. “Their movement and flow through the buildings, and their tactical considerations while clearing the compounds, were very impressive. I was also impressed with the professional manner in which they handled the detainees.”
Several suspected insurgents were detained in the operation, which will have a significant effect in reducing attacks against ANSF and the Afghan populace. While the Commandos were ready to face a significant fighting force, the insurgents were detained without incident.
“The Commandos have improved their flexibility in transitioning from an aggressive operation, such as a raid, to taking a civil-actions role of protecting the rights of detainees under the Afghan Constitution,” said Belcher.
 A Commando platoon sergeant thought that the combined force performed well during the operation. “I think we did a good job and the mission was successful,” he said. “We were on time, we successfully captured the insurgents and we had a successful mission. I’m happy about that.”
The actions of the Commando units involved in the operation impressed all involved.
“Taliban extremists’ tactics are to plan and launch attacks from civilian areas, then retreat to civilian areas to hide,” said Belcher. “Conducting operations, such as these, in civilian areas requires extensive training and planning. The fact that Commando-led forces were able to detain several suspected insurgents hiding in civilian areas without firing a shot shows tremendous development in their ability to conduct complex operations, and will go a long way in enhancing security in the Sabari District and throughout Khowst Province.”