Afghan, Coalition Forces Nab Insurgent, Find Weapons

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2011 – Afghan and coalition troops yesterday found a weapons cache and detained one suspect during a security operation conducted in the Charkh district of Logar province, military officials reported.

The Afghan-led force was searching for a Taliban leader in the district. The leader is responsible for coordinating and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition combined forces.

During the operation Afghan members of the force searched a mosque where they discovered 100 light machine-gun rounds, 13 rocket-propelled grenade boosters, 12 RPG rounds, 12 heavy machine-gun rounds, two grenades and one landmine.

The individual associated with the weapons cache was detained. No shots were fired and the women and children were protected throughout the search.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- An ISAF patrol operating in the Giro district of Ghazni province discovered a weapons cache consisting of one 122 mm rocket, eight rocket-propelled grenades and one hand grenade.

-- An Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban leader and several of his associates during a security operation in the Dand district of Kandahar province. The leader directed operations in Kandahar City and Senjaray village, and was responsible for transferring explosives throughout the district. He also was involved in aiding in the escape of detained insurgents.

-- In Zabul province, an Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects during an overnight operation targeting a Taliban leader in Tarnek wa Jaldak district. The leader works in the Net Khaliq attack cell. He is linked to enemy reconnaissance efforts, as well as arranging for the release and transfer of insurgent prisoners.

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured a Taliban facilitator and two of his associates during a security operation in the Marjeh district of Helmand province. The facilitator coordinated the movement of injured Taliban fighters through his network of couriers and drivers. He’s also linked to efforts to aid detained Taliban insurgents escape custody.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network facilitator in the Sabari district of Khost province. The facilitator is linked to the transfer and emplacement of roadside bombs.

-- In Nangarhar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator and one of his associates during a security operation in Achin district, yesterday. The facilitator participated in attacks against the Afghan National Army and provided weapons, munitions and finances to insurgents throughout the district. The security force confiscated a RPG launcher, a mortar tube, multiple rounds of ammunition and a chest rack.

-- An Afghan and coalition force captured a Haqqani network facilitator and one suspect during a security operation in the Yahya Khel district of Paktika province. The facilitator is linked to providing reports to Haqqani leaders regarding recent attacks.

-- In Khost, an Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects during a security operation targeting a Haqqani network leader in the Dilah wa Khoshamand district. The leader is linked to enemy fighter cells and attacks against the Afghan police.

In June 5 operations:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force operation discovered an explosives cache during a security operation in the Bagrami district of Kabul province. The operation secured 1,764 pounds of homemade explosives, 300 blasting caps, two rolls of timed fuses and one AK-47 rifle. One man associated with the cache was detained by Afghan authorities for questioning.

-- In the Shaybar district of Bamyan province, a coalition patrol discovered a weapons cache containing four rockets, eight RPG grenades, 204 7.62 mm rounds, 10 anti-personnel mines, 20 mortar fuses, six RPG boosters and four magazines. All confiscated weapons and explosives will be destroyed.

-- An Afghan and coalition force detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province. The leader works with Taliban and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leadership in Takhar province. He assists the head of the Taliban commission for Takhar and facilitates the transportation of explosive components and directs roadside bomb emplacements. Following intelligence tips, the Afghan-led security force targeted a compound in the district to search for the leader. During the search the force detained two individuals with suspected ties to the leader. No shots were fired during the night operation and no civilians were harmed.