Afghan, U.S. Forces Nab Six Insurgents, Disrupt Bomb-Making Cell

American Forces Press Service

July 19, 2007 – American and Afghan security forces broke up a bomb-making network and detained six terrorism suspects during separate operations July 17, officials reported. Afghan soldiers and police disrupted an improvised explosive device-fabrication operation during a raid in the Bak district of Khowst province July 17. Members of a newly established Afghan National Police unit based in Khowst province and a battalion from 1st Brigade, 203rd Afghan Army Corps, planned and executed the raid after receiving credible information of a suspected IED facility.

The police found incriminating documents, small arms, bomb-making material, and a large amount of cash during the search. The police also detained Saburdin, who is a suspected IED facilitator at the compound. Saburdin is a suspected member of the Abbas Khan network, which operates in Khowst province, Afghan police officials believe.

This operation is an example of how quickly the Afghan police are progressing, said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman.

"This ANP unit is gradually taking greater control of their operations and will prove a valuable tool to ending the Taliban's efforts in the Khowst province," Belcher said.

In other news, Afghan and U.S. forces detained five men during a joint operation conducted in the Dih Bala district of Nangarhar province July 17, officials said.

Credible intelligence led coalition forces to compounds suspected of housing militants with ties to the al Qaeda network. Magazines, weapons and grenades were found during a search of the compounds. The detainees will be questioned regarding their identities and involvement in insurgent activities, U.S. officials said. No shots were fired, and there were no civilian injuries or deaths.

"Coalition and Afghan forces are working to remove insurgents who conduct operations that threaten the peaceful people of Afghanistan and undermine the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," Belcher said.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)