Drug, Weapons Seizures Highlight Afghanistan Operations

American Forces Press Service

March 16, 2010 - Drug and weapons seizures and the capture of a senior Taliban commander and other insurgents highlight recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported. In the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province today, Afghan and international forces captured several men, including a senior Nad-e Ali Taliban commander suspected of providing insurgents with weapons and illegal explosive material.

After surrounding five compounds, the combined force ordered all occupants to come out. Following initial questioning, the force seized pistols, a shotgun and other materials as evidence and Afghan forces took several men into custody. Five women and seven children were protected throughout the operation, officials said.

In the Sabari district of Khost province today, a combined force captured four insurgents and seized rifles and hand grenades.

An International Security Assistance Force patrol seized more than 1,400 pounds of hemp seeds and detained a man after stopping a vehicle at a checkpoint in Helmand's Garm Ser district today.

In Helmand's Nad-e Ali district yesterday, a combined Afghan-international patrol found a 105 mm artillery round, an improvised claymore mine, eight spent mortar rounds and eight pressure-plate triggering devices.

Also yesterday, International Security Assistance Force servicemembers found 11 rockets, 12 60 mm mortars, 13 rocket-propelled grenades and a 105 mm artillery round in the Qalat district of Zabul province.

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