Forces Kill Haqqani Terrorist in Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces killed four armed insurgents, including a Haqqani terrorist network leader, in Afghanistan’s Khost province yesterday, military officials reported.

The terrorist leader is linked to several recent bombing attacks on local security forces. He was shot and killed in Khost’s Nadir Shah Kot district after he brandished an assault rifle at the troops.

Forces engaged and killed three other insurgents in self defense, too, after the insurgents acted in a threatening manner toward the troops. Forces also detained 10 suspected insurgents in the operation.

In other news yesterday throughout Afghanistan:

-- Security forces detained two suspected Taliban assassins, who allegedly were planning to kill Afghan officials in Kandahar province’s Kandahar district.

-- In Khost’s Sabari district, troops detained a suspected insurgent, while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network leader connected to several attacks on local security forces in the area.

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous armed insurgents in a gun battle in Kunar province’s Dangam district. Troops were conducting a routine foot patrol when insurgents opened fire. Troops returned fire and fought off the attack for several hours before requesting close-air support. Aviation assets arrived on the scene, killing the enemy fighters.

-- Forces found several weapons and drug stockpiles in operations throughout Afghanistan. They seized 4,500 assault rifle rounds, 200 automatic machine guns, 12 various rockets and mortars, 11 pounds of metal shrapnel, nine assault rifles, three unexploded ordnance, three hand grenades and one automatic machine gun.