Forces in Afghanistan Kill Militant, Detain Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Nov. 24, 2009 - Combined Afghan and international forces killed an enemy militant and detained numerous suspects in recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported. In Kandahar province today, a combined force detained several suspected militants, including a known Taliban facilitator responsible for the financial and logistical support of militant elements in the area.

Tips from intelligence sources led the force to search compounds near the village of Bahay Dehe Sufla, southwest of Kandahar City. The suspects were detained without resistance, and one confirmed his identity as the Taliban facilitator.

In another operation today, a combined force detained a sought-after Haqqani terrorist network facilitator and several other militants in Khost province. Tips from intelligence sources led the force to search a compound near the village of Maymad Kalay in the Sabari district. The militants were detained without resistance, and one identified himself as the Haqqani facilitator.

In an operation in Parwan province yesterday, a combined force detained a prominent insurgent leader associated with indirect-fire attacks near Bagram Airfield.

On Nov. 22 in Ghazni province, a combined force killed ane enemy militant and detained another suspected militant while pursuing a Taliban commander known to lead militant foreign-fighter elements and to be responsible for several attacks in the area.

The force searched a compound near the village of Ali Niazi in the Qara Bagh district after intelligence sources indicated militant activity. While clearing the compound, the force shot and killed an armed militant after he displayed hostile intent, then searched the compound without further incident, recovering pistols and grenades and detaining the suspected militant.

In a separate Nov. 22 operation, a combined force detained several suspected militants near the village of Kashimiri Bala in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province while pursuing a sought-after Taliban weapons facilitator operating in the area.

The force searched compounds after intelligence sources reported militant activity and recovered small-arms weapons, grenades, multiple assault rifle ammunition magazines and a military-grade night optical device.

In another operation Nov. 22 near the village of Ebrahim Kheyl, also in Logar's Baraki Barak district, a combined force detained several suspected militants while pursuing a Taliban commander linked with local senior Taliban leaders and actively operating in the area. The force targeted compounds after intelligence reported militant activity in that area. The search went off without incident, and the suspected militants were detained.

Also on Nov. 22, a combined force detained several militants in Kandahar province, one of whom is a known Taliban facilitator, reportedly linked to senior local Taliban leaders and involved with a suicide-bomber element in the area.

The force searched buildings in the Molla Alla Kalay neighborhood of Kandahar City after intelligence sources reported the facilitator to be located there. The search was completed without incident, and several militants, one of whom surrendered immediately and identified himself as the Taliban facilitator, were detained.

In an operation in Kandahar province Nov. 21, a combined force detained a group of suspected militants while pursuing a senior Taliban commander from northern Kandahar. The force searched a vehicle in Ghorak district without incident and detained the occupants for additional questioning.
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Also on Nov. 21, a combined force in Paktika province detained two militants, one of whom was a sought-after Haqqani facilitator who was dressed in women's attire to avoid capture. The facilitator is believed to be responsible for financing and transporting weapons and fighters to other militant elements in the area.

The force targeted a compound near the village of Nasruddin Kelay in the Bermel district where intelligence sources reported the facilitator to be located, searched the compound without incident, and detained the suspected militants. Afghan members of the force immediately saw through the facilitator's disguise when they questioned him, and were able to identify him.

In a separate operation in Kandahar province Nov. 21, a combined force detained two militants, one of whom was a sought after Taliban facilitator responsible for several attacks in the area who has links to local Taliban senior leaders.

The force targeted buildings on the north side of Kandahar City where intelligence sources reported the facilitator to be located, searched the buildings without incident, and detained the suspected militants, one of whom was identified as the facilitator.

No civilians were harmed in the operations, officials said.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)