Security Force Captures Taliban Suspects

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected Taliban insurgents during an overnight security operation in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province yesterday, military officials reported.

The Afghan-led force detained the suspected insurgents while searching a compound for a senior Haqqani terrorist network leader who conducts roadside bomb attacks in and throughout Sabari.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined force in Helmand province’s Marjah district captured a Taliban leader who directed a cell of Taliban fighters in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Zabul province’s Daychopan district, a combined force killed several armed insurgents while targeting a mid-level insurgent leader. A group of insurgents attacked the patrol with heavy machine gun fire. Several of the insurgents were killed when a coalition air weapons team and close-air support assets returned fire.

-- A coalition force patrol killed several insurgents in Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district. A group of insurgents attacked the patrol with small-arms fire. An air weapons team returned fire, killing several of the insurgents.

-- In Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district, a coalition patrol seized 81 detonators, 44 pressure plates, one spider charge, four radios, 13 remote control packs, 99 pounds of homemade explosives, one detonation cord and 30 homemade fuses.

-- During a patrol in Ghazni province’s Khwajah ‘Omari district, a coalition force patrol discovered and destroyed 800 12.7 mm rounds.