Afghan, Coalition Troops Nab Insurgent Leaders

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force yesterday captured a Haqqani network leader, a Haqqani facilitator and several of their associates during an overnight clearing operation in the Bermal district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, military officials reported.

The Afghan-led operation targeted several Haqqani leaders in Pir Koti valley. The focus of the operation was to eliminate potential Haqqani safe house and disrupt the training and movement of fighters.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several individuals with suspected ties to the Taliban during an overnight security operation in the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province. The Afghan-led security force was searching for a Taliban leader who plans and executes attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator and two of his associates during an operation in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. The facilitator was responsible for production and movement of explosive devices and components into the Zharay and Panjwa’i districts. Additionally, he was known to have direct involvement in the narcotics trade throughout the province.

-- In Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The facilitator is responsible for moving narcotics, weapons and money within the northern Helmand Taliban network.

-- During a security operation in the Tarnak wa Jaldak district of Zabul province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained one individual with suspected ties to Taliban activity.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force killed more than five insurgents and detained two suspects during an overnight security operation targeting a Taliban leader in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province. During a search, the force found a RPG launcher with several warheads, a high powered machine gun, multiple AK-47 rifles and several chest racks. The security force detained two suspects for questioning.

-- Also in Sayyidabad, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader. The targeted leader is the Taliban-appointed provincial military chief for Wardak province. He coordinates kidnappings of Afghan government officials and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents and detained several suspects during a security operation targeting a Taliban leader in the Khwajah ‘Omari district of Ghazni province. The targeted leader is a guerrilla warfare tactician who commands many fighters for attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Haqqani network facilitator and several suspected insurgents during an overnight security operation in the Sabari district of Khost province. The facilitator was responsible for emplacing and coordinating the use of explosives targeting the Afghan National Army. The security force confiscated two rifles during a search.

-- Also in Sabari, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects while searching for a Haqqani network leader during a security operation. The leader conducts homemade bomb attacks, including a recent attack in Sabari.

-- In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a drug cache during a security operation. The cache consisted of 22 pounds of opium and 331 pounds of hashish. The drugs were safely destroyed by security forces.

-- A coalition force discovered a weapons cache in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The cache consisted of two 107 mm grenades, one mortar round, two bandoliers, one mortar, one full AK-47 rifle magazine, ammonium nitrate and several components for improvised explosive devices.

In June 4 operations:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force patrol engaged several insurgents June 4 during a security operation in the Kajaki district of Helmand province. Several insurgents were killed when they engaged the patrol with small-arms fire.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force patrol discovered a weapons cache during a security operation targeting a suicide attack planner in Kabul. The operation secured a suicide vest, three grenades, three detonators and 154 pounds of homemade explosives. The explosives were safely destroyed on site. One man was detained by Afghan authorities for questioning.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition patrol discovered an enemy explosives cache during an operation in the Gelan district of Ghazni province. The operation secured 44 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 14 82 mm mortar rounds, TNT, 30 12 mm rounds and one pistol. The explosives were safely destroyed on site.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition operation targeted a suicide improvised explosive device cell in Kabul. One man was detained. A suicide vest, 40 pounds of ammonium nitrate and four AK-47 rifles were confiscated. The explosives and weapons were safely destroyed on site and the detainee was taken by Afghan authorities for questioning.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader and detained several of his associates during a security operation in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The targeted leader was part of a significant attack network and commanded 20-25 fighters in Wali Mohammed Ogrtepa village in Kunduz district. He and the Kunduz attack network are directly involved in roadside bomb and suicide attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan National Security Forces.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents during a security operation in the Chahar Bolak district of Balkh province. The Afghan-led security force was in the district searching for a Taliban leader responsible for planning attacks in the district.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several individuals with suspected ties to Taliban activity during an operation in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Zabul province.

-- In Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in the Nad ‘Ali district. The leader is responsible for approximately 15 to 20 fighters who conduct direct fire and ambush attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also involved with the kidnapping and intimidation of local nationals in the district.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during a nighttime security operation targeting a Taliban leader in Kandahar City, Kandahar province. The leader coordinates and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinates with a prominent facilitator who supplies his network with weapons and fighters.

-- In the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, a coalition patrol discovered a weapons cache during a security operation. The cache consisted of 50 12.7 mm rounds, two artillery shells rigged with wires, 40 machine-gun rounds, two pressure plates, 44 pounds of homemade explosives, one 152 mm artillery shell and mine rigged together, and one 107 mm rocket.

-- Also in Helmand, a combined Afghan and coalition force patrol operating in the Garm Ser district discovered a weapons cache. The cache contained five hand-held two-way radios, five battery packs, two remote controls, ball bearings, four fuses and five 110-pound bags of fertilizer. One individual was detained.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several insurgents during an operation in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province. The Afghan-led force conducted the operation to disrupt Taliban activity along a key facilitation route for insurgent organizations carrying out attacks in Kabul.

-- In Paktika province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained two individuals with links to the Haqqani network during a security operation in Orgun district.

-- In the Sabari the district of Khost province, an Afghan-led force detained two individuals while searching for a Haqqani leader. The leader is responsible for coordinating and conducting attacks against the Afghan army.

-- A coalition force patrol detained an individual in procession of multiple weapons and explosive components during a security operation in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province. Material that was confiscated included seven mines, 15 hand-grenades, 15 grenades fuses, five explosive detonators, three blasting caps, three 82 mm recoilless rifle rounds and 1,000 feet of detonation cord.