Afghan, Coalition Force Kills Terrorists

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents, including a senior Haqqani leader, during a nighttime security operation in the Zurmat district of Paktiya province yesterday, military officials reported.

The deceased leader, Yasin, was the preeminent source of roadside bomb attacks in the Zurmat and Gardez districts. He was a bomb expert who constructed and facilitated explosive weapon systems throughout the province, targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

The Afghan-led security force found themselves under attack by several armed insurgents shortly after arriving at the targeted compounds. After receiving extended heavy fire, the security force responded by killing several insurgents, including Yasin.

After the engagement, the force discovered and destroyed a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with three warheads, several grenades, a machinegun, multiple AK-47 rifles and numerous rounds of ammunition.

The force also detained several suspects.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects during an overnight security operation at a Taliban leader’s suspected compound in the Archi district of Kunduz province. The target is a leader with the Kunduz attack network and is responsible for planning and conducting suicide attacks against Afghan government officials within the district.

-- The ISAF confirmed the capture of a Taliban leader during a June 14 security operation in the Archi district of Kunduz province. The leader was the Taliban-appointed governing official for the district.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force in Kandahar province captured a Taliban facilitator and more than five associates during a security operation in the Arghandab district. The facilitator was responsible for the movement of lethal materials for other Taliban networks.

-- In Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban facilitator and an associate during a nighttime security operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district. The facilitator was a key transfer agent, smuggling materials and resources from Iran for senior Taliban leaders in Helmand.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban leader during a security operation in the Qalat district of Zabul province. The leader was responsible for kidnapping and assassinating local Afghan civilians.

-- The ISAF confirmed the capture of a Taliban facilitator during a June 14 security operation in the Tarnak wa Jaldak district of Zabul province. The facilitator assisted in the transfer of Uzbeks and Farsi-speaking foreign fighters from Pakistan into Afghanistan to fight for the Taliban.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force killed two insurgents and detained another during an overnight operation in the Mota Khan district of Paktika province. The target of the operation was a Haqqani leader who conducts, coordinates and directs roadside bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force provided medical aid for a wounded insurgent and transported him to a medical facility. Additionally, they found multiple grenades, AK-47 rifles and chest racks.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force in Khost province captured a Haqqani network leader and a network facilitator during separate security searches in the Sabari district. The leader directed 20 fighters who carried out Haqqani operations in the district and was actively involved in building roadside bombs.

-- Also in Sabari, a combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani network facilitator and detained several associates during a nighttime security search. The facilitator purchased, sold and transported weapons and ammunition in support of Haqqani operations.

-- In Wardak province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained two individuals for questioning during an overnight security search in the Chak-e Wardak district. The targeted leader is responsible for financial and logistical support to insurgents within the Onkhai Valley area.

-- The ISAF confirmed the capture of a Haqqani facilitator during a June 10 security operation in the Sabari district of Khost province. The facilitator was responsible for the purchase and sale of weapons and supplies to Haqqani insurgents in the district. He also prepared homemade bombs for attacks against the Afghan National Army.

-- Combined Afghan and coalition security forces discovered two caches in different districts of Farah province. In Farah district, a combined force patrol discovered a weapons cache consisting of nine mines, two 122 mm rockets and one 107 mm rocket. A separate Afghan and coalition-force patrol operating in Bakwa district discovered a drug cache consisting of 441 pounds of opium. All the drugs and weapons will be destroyed.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a drug cache in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province. The cache consisted of 3,307 pounds of hashish, 661 pounds of marijuana and 146 pounds of opium.

-- In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a drugs cache consisting of 220 pounds of hashish.

-- A coalition force patrol conducting a security operation in the Sangin district of Helmand province discovered a weapons cache containing four 82 mm mortar rounds, one rocket-propelled grenade and several improvised explosive device components.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a coalition force discovered a weapons cache consisting of five anti-personnel mines, five rocket-propelled grenades, one 82 mm mortar round, 400 12.7 mm rounds and several IED components. All the weapons were safely destroyed by the security forces.