U.S., Afghan Forces Kill 10 Taliban Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces yesterday killed more than 10 Taliban insurgents after conducting a precision airstrike and security operation in the Burkah district of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province, military officials reported.

The operation was conducted to capture a Taliban leader in the district. The leader maintains ties to most of the senior Taliban leadership in Kunduz, Baghlan and Takhar provinces.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- Afghan and coalition forces found 5,000 anti-aircraft machine gun rounds during a patrol in the Zharay district of Kandahar province.

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured a Haqqani network leader responsible for recent lethal attacks against coalition forces during a security operation in the Terayzai district of Khost province. The leader coordinated the transfer of weapons and explosives, as well as provided direction for attacks against Afghan army and coalition forces. Several other suspected insurgents also were detained for further questioning. The security force also found and destroyed multiple small-arms weapons.

-- Also in Khost province, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Hezb-E Islami Gulbuddin facilitator while targeting another Hezb-E Islami Gulbuddin leader during a security operation in the Bak district. The targeted leader conducts ambushes and roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan army and coalition forces. One other suspected insurgent was detained for further questioning.

-- In Ghazni province, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured two Haqqani network facilitators during a security operation in the Ghazni district. One facilitator provided safe havens for foreign fighters traveling between Kunduz and Paktika provinces and Pakistan for tactical training and operations. The other facilitator worked for both Haqqani and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders in the Orgun district of Paktiya province. One additional suspected insurgent also was detained for further questioning.

-- Coalition forces conducting a patrol in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province discovered a weapons cache. The cache contained 60 sticks of explosives, 60 nonelectric blasting caps, 60 pieces of timed fuses, 380 pounds of unknown explosives, one box of primers and 441 pounds of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil.

In April 16 operations:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained two suspected insurgents and destroyed 2,000 pounds of heroin while targeting a Taliban leader during a security operation in the Washer district of Helmand province. The leader oversees Taliban operations in the district.

-- In Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban facilitator and several other suspected insurgents during a security operation in the Panjwa’i district. The facilitator is involved in the acquisition, construction and operation of explosive devices in the district.

-- An Afghan and coalition force detained a suspected insurgent during a security operation in the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Baghlan province. The insurgent works concurrently for the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. He provides both groups’ leaders situational updates on attacks targeting coalition forces and facilitates bed-down locations for insurgents.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force targeted a Taliban leader, killing numerous insurgents, during a security operation in the Sayad district of Sar-e Pul province. The targeted leader is the head of all Taliban operations in the province. He has ties to foreign fighter facilitation and suicide training camps operating in the area, and he targets former insurgents who attempt to join the Afghan government’s reintegration process. The security force also discovered several rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 rifles.

-- Afghan security forces, advised and assisted by coalition forces, captured a suspected insurgent drug trafficker while on a patrol near the village of Sekzi in the Khode Valley of Uruzgan province. The man was carrying 60,000 Pakistani rupees and 30 pounds of opium.

-- The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of two Taliban leaders. The first is a Taliban Chiriki assassination cell leader who operated in the Zhari district of Kandahar province. He was captured April 13. The second detainee is a Taliban leader and facilitator involved in attack planning against coalition forces along Highway 1. He also was captured April 13 during an operation in the Sha Joy district of Zabul province.

-- The ISAF confirmed the identity of an al-Qaida leader named Waqas who was killed April 14 during an airstrike in the Dangnam district of Kunar province. Waqas was a Pakistani al-Qaida leader operating in Kunar, who coordinated attacks against coalition forces. He was associated with another Pakistan-based senior al-Qaida leader and together they conducted training for members throughout the province, as well as weapons procurement.

In April 15 operations:

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured a Haqqani network facilitator during a security operation in the Bak district of Khost province. The facilitator is responsible for planning the emplacement of IEDs and coordinating direct attacks against Afghan army and coalition forces in the Sabari and Bak districts of Khost province. Another suspected insurgent was detained for further questioning.

-- Coalition forces killed numerous insurgents during operations in the Bar Kunar district of Kunar province.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained numerous suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network facilitator during a security operation in the Zadran district of Paktiya province. The facilitator coordinates supply movements and provides direct support to insurgent operations.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition patrol repelled an attack on an Afghan forces’ checkpoint in Kandahar City, killing one insurgent.

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured an individual wearing a suicide vest in the Shahid-e-Hasas district of Uruzgan province. The man willingly dropped his suicide vest and surrendered himself when confronted by the combined forces. He claimed he was forced by Taliban leaders to wear the vest and was instructed to target Afghan and coalition forces. The vest was rendered safe and then destroyed.

-- In the Sangin district of Helmand province, a coalition patrol discovered nine battery packs, six 15-pound jugs of homemade explosives, seven pressure plates and wire. Security forces destroyed the weapons. .

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed one insurgent and detained several others during a clearance operation in the Ghormach district of Faryab province. The security force targeted a Taliban safe haven in Arzanak village, which is associated with IED activity and cache sites.

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured a Taliban leader along with several of his associates during a security operation in the Zhari district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader coordinated and distributed IED materials throughout the district. He also conducted reconnaissance for his associates.

-- In the Sha Joy district of Zabul province, Afghan and coalition forces detained a suspected Taliban leader and several suspected insurgents during a security operation to disrupt Taliban network cells. The leader directs fighters and facilitators, coordinating Taliban operations in the district.

In April 14 operations:

-- In the Delaram district of Nimroz province, Afghan and coalition forces found 99 pounds of wet opium, which security forces destroyed.