Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2010 – Afghan and coalition forces yesterday captured a Haqqani network leader during a security operation conducted in Khost province, military officials reported.

Intelligence reports indicate that the insurgent leader facilitated movement of improvised explosive device-making materials from Pakistan into Khost province. He also was responsible for IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force followed intelligence tips to a compound in Terayzai district to search for the leader.

Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit peacefully before the combined security force cleared and secured the building. The Haqqani leader identified himself to authorities during questioning at which time he was detained. Two other suspected insurgents also were detained.

A search of the insurgent’s house resulted in finding a mortar round and military-style equipment. The operation was conducted during hours of darkness to minimize risk to local residents. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. Security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.

In other Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- Afghan and coalition forces conducted three operations against Taliban insurgents in northern and southern parts of the country resulting in several suspected insurgents being detained.

In Kunduz province, Afghan and coalition forces conducted a deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the Taliban’s freedom of movement in northern Afghanistan, detaining two suspected insurgents. The combined security force is continuing efforts to disrupt enemy safe havens, where Taliban leaders use villages throughout the area to conduct operational planning and facilitate their attacks. This operation focused on an area near Chem Tepa village in Chahar Darah district. Afghan and coalition forces cleared five compounds suspected of insurgent activity in the area. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compounds peacefully before the security force cleared and secured the areas. After initial questioning, two suspected insurgents were detained.

In Zabul province, combined forces detained a man suspected of conducting IED attacks on a major southern thoroughfare. Forces conducted the operation in search of a Taliban facilitator operating in the province’s Shah Joy district. He is known for conducting IED attacks against coalition forces along Highway 1, as well as coordinating command and control over terrorist operations in the district. Security forces made it a priority to secure Highway 1 in an effort to further the safety of local Afghans and coalition forces as well as provide a conduit to further stabilization in the southern provinces. This operation is one of a dozen conducted over a five-week period in the province. The major thoroughfare extends from Kabul, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, through the southern provinces and terminates on the Iranian border. Southern forces killed four insurgents including a significant Taliban leader, Amarat, and have detained more than 50 suspects in the district since Nov. 18.

In Nimroz province’s Khash Rod district, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspects during an operation targeting another Taliban leader. Forces conducted the operations in search of the leader who is involved in the facilitation of IED materials and weapons. He also directs attacks and is involved with attack coordination against coalition forces. The targeted individual conducts visual observations of coalition forces within the area to provide Taliban associates with reports of friendly forces’ movements and locations. Forces followed leads to a series of targeted buildings where they questioned the occupants at the locations and conducted a search. The two suspects were detained based on initial questioning at the scenes. The combined security team conducted these operations during hours of darkness to minimize risk to local civilians. No women or children were injured or detained during these operations. The security forces conducted these operations without firing their weapons.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader and a Taliban facilitator during a combined security operation in Nangarhar province. Combined forces have detained six Taliban leaders and 18 suspected insurgents in the province since Dec. 1. The Taliban leader operated within Pachir wa Agam district, facilitating foreign fighters and suicide bombers to attack coalition forces and government officials in Jalalabad, Behsud and Pachir wa Agam districts. The Taliban facilitator was involved in facilitating weapons and suicide bombers as well as planning attacks in the Pachir wa Agam district. Recent reporting indicates he and several associates were acquiring compounds necessary to make suicide bombs south of Jalalabad City. Forces detained the two Taliban leaders at a targeted location in Chaparhar district. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call occupants out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The men were detained after initial questioning. The joint security team conducted the operation during hours of darkness to minimize risk to local civilians. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. Security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.

-- Afghan and coalition forces targeted and detained a Taliban attack leader during a combined security operation in Kandahar province. Forces conducted the operation in search of the leader, who bears the title “doctor” due to his intricate knowledge of IEDs. The leader trained Taliban members on how to build, emplace and detonate IEDs. In addition, he gave tactical guidance on where and how to conduct such attacks. He is associated with the Dec. 12 suicide vehicle-borne IED attack in Sangisar and was involved in moving money and supplies in support of suicide vehicle-borne IED operations in Kandahar City. The now-detained individual also was in direct contact with an array of suicide vehicle-borne IED cell leaders and suicide-attack facilitators.

Forces followed leads to the target location in Kandahar City, where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team determined the targeted individual and one suspected insurgent would be detained based on initial questioning at the scene. The security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local civilians. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.