Combined Force Captures Haqqani Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 23, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani terrorist network leader and two of his associates during a nighttime security operation yesterday in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province, military officials reported.

Information from residents led to the capture.

The leader was involved in roadside-bomb and direct attacks against Afghan army soldiers, and trained foreign fighters.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- An Afghan-led security force in Balkh province’s Sholgarah district captured a Taliban leader at his compound following several reports of Taliban activity in the area. The leader was responsible for attacks targeting Afghan security forces.

-- In an intelligence-driven operation in Kandahar province’s Panjwa’i district, a combined force captured a Taliban organizer who was responsible for transporting and distributing lethal materials to Taliban insurgents.

-- An Afghan-led combined force in Helmand province’s Kajaki district captured a Taliban organizer and two individuals with suspected insurgent ties. The organizer directed a courier network that transferred roadside-bomb components and narcotics for insurgents in Kajaki.

-- An Afghan-led force detained two suspected insurgents in Zabul province’s Qalat district.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban organizer and two suspected insurgents in Laghman province’s Qarghah’i district.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, a combined force detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Haqqani network financier.

-- In a separate search, the force detained several suspected insurgents in Paktika province’s Mata Khan district while searching for a Haqqani leader who acquires and plants roadside bombs for ambush attacks against Afghan security forces. The force also destroyed several grenades and chest racks.