Coalition Forces Detain Afghan Militants

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 – Afghan and coalition troops captured several insurgents, including a Haqanni terrorist network leader, yesterday in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

Troops detained the Haqanni terrorist and another suspected insurgent in Khost province’s Khost district, where they are believed to be responsible for coordinating attacks against local security forces.

In other news yesterday throughout Afghanistan:

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, security forces captured several suspected insurgents, including a Hezb-e Islami facilitator responsible for supplying the terrorist group with explosive devices.

-- Forces detained several suspected insurgents during clearing operations in Helmand province’s Kajaki district.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained three suspected insurgents during a vehicle-interdiction operation in Nimroz province. The suspects were found with machine guns and more than 1,500 pounds of opium.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader responsible for trafficking bomb-making materials throughout the province in Zabul province’s Qalat district.

-- Security forces detained a suspected insurgent in Logar province’s Muhammad Aghag district while searching for a Taliban leader allegedly responsible for several bombings in the area.

-- Security forces found several drug and weapons stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations resulted in seizure of 5,940 assault-rifle and machine-gun rounds, 26 assorted rockets and mortars, 15 hand grenades, 11 assault rifles, three pistols and a shotgun. Troops also confiscated more than 4,800 pounds of ammonium nitrate –- a banned fertilizer often used in roadside bombs -- and 44 pounds of opium.

In operations Feb. 20:

-- Security forces in Khost province’s Terayzai district captured several suspected insurgents, including a Haqanni terrorist network leader with ties to numerous insurgent attacks in the area, and wounded an armed militant in the operation. The wounded insurgent was shot by security forces after refusing their request to disarm.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents in Takhar province’s Bahkar district while searching for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist leader.

-- Acting on tips from local residents, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents, including a Taliban weapons trafficker, in Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district.

-- Forces detained two suspected insurgents during a clearing operation in Kandahar province’s Registan district, while targeting compounds reportedly used for housing foreign fighters and weapons.

-- Security forces detained a suspected insurgent in Nangarhar province’s Surkh Rod district while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for trafficking explosive devices and supplies to terrorists plotting to attack Afghan government officials.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Haqanni network terrorist responsible for trafficking explosives and supplies for suicide bombers in Paktika province’s Orgun district.

-- Security forces found several drug stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 32 assorted rockets and mortars, 11 hand grenades, three assault rifles, two anti-tank mines, a pistol, and 150 pounds of explosives.

In Feb. 19 operations:

-- After spotting several insurgents displaying what officials called “hostile acts” in Helmand province’s Sangin district, troops fired on the insurgent fighting position, killing several insurgents.

-- Afghan and coalition forces found several weapons stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. Operations resulted in seizure of 16,500 assault-rifle rounds, 17 rocket-propelled grenades, 16 rocket-propelled grenade boosters, 13 fake Afghan police identification cards, nine directional fragmentation charges, seven assault rifles, three four-gallon containers of liquid explosives, three pressure plates, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a pistol and 328 feet of detonation cord.