Forces in Afghanistan Capture Suspected Militants

American Forces Press Service

March 25, 2010 - Afghan and international security forces captured several suspected militants in various recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

-- A combined force in the Qarah Bagh district of Ghazni province today captured a Taliban commander connected with foreign-fighter facilitation, buying and moving weapons and directing attacks against coalition troops. Another militant also was captured in the operation.

-- In Khost province last night, a combined force in the Terezayi district captured two Taliban subcommanders believed to be closely involved with intelligence gathering, kidnappings, attacks on coalition forces, and arranging for the construction of vehicle-borne bombs. The force also captured several other insurgents and recovered a large amount of money during the operation.

-- An Afghan-international force in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province last night captured a Taliban facilitator believed to be responsible for the delivery, storage and distribution of weapons and to be involved in delivering explosive materials and bomb components to various Taliban networks. The targeted facilitator identified himself, and several other insurgents also were captured.

-- In Kandahar province yesterday, a combined force in the Arghandab district stopped two motorcycles and detained two suspected militants for further questioning.

—A combined patrol found two improvised explosive devices in Ghazni's Muqer district. The first device consisted of a directional mine with 15 pounds of homemade explosives, and the second consisted of three mortar grenades with more than 40 pounds of homemade explosives. An explosive ordnance disposal team disabled the devices.

-- In the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province, an International Security Assistance Force patrol found an IED consisting of six 82 mm mortar rounds yesterday. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed it.

-- An ISAF patrol in the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Helmand province yesterday found five rocket-propelled grenades, a mortar round and 24 cases of small-arms ammunition. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the cache.

-- A joint Afghan Border Police and ISAF operational base in the Bak district of Khost province came under attack by insurgents yesterday, and the unit returned fire. Initial reports indicate that after the engagement six Afghan civilians with shrapnel wounds, two of whom died, received medical treatment at a nearby ISAF facility. The cause of the civilian casualties is under investigation.

-- Afghan forces and ISAF partners captured an IED facilitator and several other suspected insurgents March 22 southwest of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province.

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