Coalition Breaks up Bomb Network in Eastern Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 15, 2008 - Coalition forces yesterday captured three suspects in a bomb-making ring in Afghanistan's eastern province of Ghazni, military officials reported. The operation, in the province's Andar district, targeted a militant believed to coordinate bomb attacks with the Taliban and to assist in bringing foreign fighters into Afghanistan, officials said.

The capture was part of operations that have been ongoing for several days in the area, as the coalition works to break up a foreign-fighter network there, officials said.

In other news from Afghanistan, coalition troops killed five Taliban fighters, including a subcommander, in the province's Rashidan district Oct. 13, officials said.

Intelligence reports indicate the subcommander was responsible for roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and helped to bring foreign fighters into the area, they said. The men were killed after engaging the coalition troops in battle, officials said.

A search of the area where the operation took place produced five AK-47 assault rifles and magazines, two pistols, multiple hand grenades and military style clothing.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)