KABUL, Afghanistan (July 29) - A Taliban commander and his accomplice were apprehended in Farah province after Afghan National Army Commandos discovered them disguised in burkas July 25. Afghan National Army officials said the insurgent commander was responsible for numerous attacks on Afghan and Coalition forces in Farah province. The 1st Company, 4th Commando Kandak, partnered with Coalition forces, was conducting a presence patrol to disrupt insurgent activity when the men were captured, according to ANA officials on the scene. Coalition officials said the two men were dressed up like girls to disguise themselves after a failed attempt to emplace an IED in the southern part of Diware Village.
Throughout the course of the operation, the ANA Commandos also found a large quantity of opium and a cache of explosives. An explosive ordnance disposal team disabled, removed, and destroyed the cache to prevent the materials from being used to harm innocent civilians, Afghan, and Coalition forces. According to Afghan customs, men wearing burkas is considered cowardly and demeaning toward women.