Forces in Afghanistan Detain Suspected Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2010 – Partnered Afghan and coalition security forces detained numerous suspected insurgents in recent operations, military officials reported.

Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents in Paktia province’s Zurmat district yesterday while in pursuit of an insurgent commander with ties to both Taliban and Haqqani terrorist network senior leaders in Pakistan.

The commander's cell plants roadside bombs and conducts attacks on Afghan government officials and coalition forces.

Several weapons, a rocket-propelled grenade, a pistol belt and military equipment were found at the scene. The security force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search.

In Wardak province’s Nerkh district yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents while in pursuit of a Taliban commander who operates mainly in the northern part of the province. The security force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search.

Also yesterday, an Afghan and coalition security force captured a roadside-bomb cell leader operating in Zabul province’s Qalat district, facilitating the movement of weapons and supplies, and directing attacks on Highway 1, a major route used by civilians. Afghan and coalition forces did not fire their weapons during the operation.

In Kunduz province’s Kunduz district yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents while in pursuit of a Taliban subcommander who recently returned from Pakistan and still maintains connections to his Pakistani-based leadership. The subcommander also is involved in organizing suicide attacks using foreign fighters. The security force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search.

Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents in Khost province’s Sabari district yesterday while in pursuit of a facilitator responsible for coordinating the movement of Haqqani operatives and supplies. The facilitator is in direct contact with senior Haqqani leadership in Pakistan. The security force found multiple weapons, magazines and a grenade at the scene. They did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search.

Afghan and coalition forces detained several insurgents in Helmand province’s Nad-e Ali district last night while in pursuit of a Taliban commander who is a key facilitator of weapons and supplies for other Taliban commanders operating in northern Helmand. The security force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search.

Also in Helmand, multiple intelligence reports and local tips led to a combined Afghan and coalition force operation resulting in the detention of two insurgents yesterday.

The combined force targeted a compound linked to two Taliban commanders prominent in an insurgent facilitation-and-finance network based in Band-e-Timor in Maiwand, but who have links throughout Helmand and Kandahar provinces.

A search of the targeted compound yielded more than 13 pounds of wet opium and an assault rifle.

In another operation driven by intelligence reports and local tips, a combined Afghan and coalition security force operation in Wardak province yesterday resulted in the detention of two insurgents.

The initial target was the Taliban shadow provincial police chief, who facilitates suicide bombers in the area and is responsible for the majority of roadside-bomb attacks in the northern part of the province.

In other news, Afghan and coalition forces are searching for an Afghan Public Protection Program commander who reportedly was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Wardak’s Maidan Shahr district yesterday. The Public Protection Program, led by the national government, is designed to have Afghan citizens take charge of securing their villages against militants who use them as safe havens.