Forces Detain Suspected Insurgents in Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents yesterday in the Sayyidabad district of Afghanistan’s Wardak province, officials said.

Troops were searching for a Taliban leader responsible for planting roadside bombs to target security forces traveling along Highway 1.

In other news yesterday throughout Afghanistan:

-- Forces captured two suspected insurgents, including a Taliban militant connected to attacks on security forces, in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district.

-- Security forces in Khost province’s Sabari district captured two Haqqani network terrorists and another suspected insurgent with alleged ties to weapons trafficking and bombing attacks on coalition forces.

-- In Paktia province’s Dzadran district, troops arrested a Haqqani network terrorist leader who is responsible for planning and carrying out attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

In operations April 18:

-- Security forces killed several armed insurgents in a gun battle after being ambushed in Kandahar province’s Zharay district.

-- Combined patrols discovered several weapons and drug stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations resulted in seizure of 4,500 assault-rifle rounds, 208 12.7 mm rounds, 115 pounds of homemade explosives, 106 hand grenades, 62 blasting caps, 33 bolt-action rifles, 25 pounds of opium, 17 anti-tank mines, 17 land mines, 17 rocket-propelled grenades, 15 pounds of ammonium nitrate -– a banned fertilizer used in explosive devices -– eight assault rifles, 5 pounds of aluminum powder, four armored vests, four pressure plates, four propane tanks, three explosive devices, a pistol and assorted bomb-making materials.