Forces Disrupt, Detain Insurgents in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, numerous militant fighters throughout eastern and southern Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported. Forces detained a group of suspected militants today after searching compounds northeast of Khowst City known to be used by a Haqqani terrorist network leader and his unit. The search was conducted without incident.

In the Saydabad district of Wardak province, forces detained several suspects today after searching a series of buildings known to be used by a Taliban leader and his unit. The group is suspected of providing financial support, weapons and bombs to other militants.

In a third operation today, forces detained several suspects after searching buildings west of Kandahar City. The buildings are known to be used by a Taliban element responsible for the supply of weapons, explosives, fighters and money to other militant elements in the region.

Forces yesterday conducted two searches in an effort to disrupt a Taliban element working in the southeast. In Ghazni province, they detained suspected militants during a search in the Gelan district. A suspected insurgent also was detained in the Saydabad district of Wardak province. No one was injured or killed during the operations.

In operations Oct. 3:

-- Forces detained multiple suspects in Zabul, Wardak and Paktia provinces after searching areas known for terrorist activity. No one was injured in the operations.

-- In Paktika province, forces killed suspected insurgents attempting to use makeshift bombs against them, as well as a suspect who posed an imminent threat in another building.

-- In Kandahar province, forces found more than 1,600 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound commonly used in making explosives. The force destroyed the chemical on site, and one insurgent was detained.

No Afghan civilians were harmed in the operations.

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