Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous insurgents and detained several others in operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan, military officials reported.

Security forces in Kunduz province’s Imam Sahib district killed numerous armed insurgents and detained several suspected militants. Afghan and coalition troops were searching for a Taliban district leader responsible for weapons trafficking, kidnappings and recruiting insurgents. Several armed insurgents were killed after opening fire on the approaching security force. Troops came under attack again during their search through the compound. Two more insurgents were killed during the second attack. Several suspected insurgents were taken into custody for additional questioning.

In other operations yesterday:

-- Afghan forces killed two armed insurgents who attacked an Afghan-coalition patrol in Ghazni province’s Andar district. Security forces spotted the two insurgents planting roadside bombs yesterday morning. Afghan forces tracked the insurgents to a nearby mosque and killed them. Afghan troops found two assault rifles, a pistol and several bombs in the dead militants’ possession.

-- Security forces in Khost province’s Sabari district detained several suspected insurgents in an operation to take down a Haqqani network leader. The leader is responsible for trafficking weapons and explosive devices to militants throughout the province.

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured a Taliban leader and two of his associates in Nangahar province’s Sherzad district. The Taliban leader is responsible for assassinating local villagers who cooperate with security forces. Tips for local residents led troops to the Taliban leader’s location.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained an alleged Taliban leader Zabul province’s Shah Joy district. The suspect reportedly is connected to a recent attack that wounded four Afghan civilians in the area. He is also responsible for killing a member of the local peace council. Two other suspects also were detained.

-- Security forces captured a Taliban leader in Wardak province responsible for planning and carrying out attacks on Afghan and coalition troops in the province’s Sayyidabad district.

-- Afghan and coalition forces destroyed a Taliban bomb factory in Kunduz province. Security forces identified five buildings in the area that contained bomb-making materials, artillery rounds, rocket-propelled grenades and homemade explosives. Security forces cleared the area of innocent civilians before requesting the air strike, which destroyed the facility.