Forces in Afghanistan Detain Suspects, Find Weapons

American Forces Press Service

Dec. 24, 2009 - Afghan and international security forces in Afghanistan detained numerous suspected militants and seized weapons stockpiles in various operations today, military officials reported. A combined Afghan-international force detained several suspected militants in Helmand province while searching for a Taliban commander linked to a murder and intimidation campaign.

The force went to a compound north of the village of Ser Banader in the Garmsir district after intelligence experts confirmed militant activity in the area. Despite receiving hostile fire when they approached, the servicemembers searched the compound and detained the militants.

A combined force captured a suspected Taliban commander believed to be responsible for recent assassinations and detained two other militants in an operation south of Kandahar City.

In Khost province, a combined force detained about a dozen suspected Haqqani terrorist network militants and recovered illegal weapons.

The force moved into a series of compounds in the Sabari district after intelligence sources found a concentration of militant activity. After an extensive search, the security force detained the militants. The joint force also found assault rifles and pistols.

In other operations, international forces discovered three weapons caches and drugs in Helmand province yesterday while conducting a patrol. The unit seized assault rifles, ammunition magazines, more than 200 7.62 mm rounds and 40 pounds of black-tar heroin in the Now Zad district.

The drugs were destroyed, and the weapons were seized as evidence.

No civilians were harmed in any of these operations, officials said.

(From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release.)