Afghan, Coalition Patrol Kills Insurgents, Seizes Weapons

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition patrol killed several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader during an operation in the Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.

The operation also resulted in the discovery of an improvised explosive device factory. The patrol seized 16 improvised explosive devices, eight anti-personnel mines, six grenades, several rockets, two suicide IED vests packed with explosives and detonators, a large amount of IED components and small-arms ammunition.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- In the Kunduz district of Kunduz province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban leader. The leader plans and conducts attacks against local Afghan government officials and Afghan National Security Forces.

-- An Afghan-led force killed one armed insurgent and detained several suspects during a security search in the Ghorak district of Kandahar province. The force was in the district searching for a Taliban senior military leader responsible for planning and executing roadside bomb attacks. Several individuals with suspected ties to the Taliban were detained for further questioning.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition patrol discovered a vehicle being prepared for use as an IED at a security checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The patrol discovered more than 1,300 pounds of homemade explosives anda cord leading to a 9-volt battery and six homemade detonators hidden in various compartments throughout the vehicle.

-- In the Qalat district of Zabul province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained one suspected insurgent during an overnight security operation. The target of the operation was a Taliban leader responsible for kidnapping and killing Afghan government officials in the province.

-- During a security operation in the Zharay district of Kandahar province, an Afghan-led force detained two suspected insurgents. The force was in the area searching for Taliban insurgents responsible for distributing weapons.

-- Also in the Zharay district, an Afghan-led force detained a suspected insurgent. The security force was in the area searching for a Taliban facilitator responsible for the movement of explosives and personnel.

-- In the Mata Khan district of Paktika province, an Afghan-led force captured a Taliban leader and one associate during an overnight operation. The leader was responsible for coordinating and conducting roadside bomb, suicide and ambush attacks.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained a Haqqani facilitator and several suspects during an overnight operation. The Haqqani facilitator is linked tocoordinating the transfer of weapons, ammunition and explosive materials.

In July 9 operations:

-- An Afghan-led combined security force detained two Haqqani leaders and several suspected insurgents during an overnight search in the Sabari district of Khost province. The first Haqqani leader was responsible for coordinating indirect fire, roadside bomb, and direct fire attacks against the Afghan army. He also financed and supplied subordinate fighters. The second leader coordinated large scale and indirect fire attacks against the Afghan a. He also supplied subordinate fighters with weapons and supplies. The security force also discovered several grenades, AK-47 rifles, chest racks and armor-piercing ammunition.

-- In the Ghazni district of Ghazni province, an Afghan-led combined force killed one Taliban facilitator and detained two suspects.

In July 8 operations:

-- A combined Afghan-coalition force seized a drug cache and detained several suspected insurgents during an operation in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province. About 772 pounds of dry opium was confiscated. All drugs were safely destroyed on site.

-- In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a weapons cache consisting of four 155mm rounds and five 82mm recoilless rifle rounds.

-- Also in the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force discovered and seized a drug cache consisting of 132 pounds of opium.

-- In the Muhammad Aghah district of Logar province, an Afghan patrol discovered a weapons cache. The cache consisted of three rocket propelled grenade launchers, five rocket propelled grenade rounds, seven mines, approximately 50 feet of detonation cord, four radio adapters, two remote controls, one global positioning system and three 36-inch antennas.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan explosives expert and one of his associates during an overnight operation in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The explosives expert, who recently returned from Pakistan, was the lead insurgent explosives trainer in northern Afghanistan and a liaison with the Taliban.

-- In the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, an Afghan-led force detained several suspects. The target was a Taliban leader who coordinates movement of explosive materials for insurgents throughout the district.

-- An Afghan-led force detained a Taliban facilitator and several of his associates during an overnight search in the Andar district of Ghazni province. The facilitator is responsible for assisting suicide attacks and planning large scale attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- In Khost province, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Haqqani network facilitator and several associates during an overnight operation in the Sabari district. The facilitator was responsible for coordinating mortar attacks against the Afghan army.

-- Also in the Sabari district, an Afghan-led security force detained several suspected insurgents. The target of the search was a Haqqani network leader responsible for roadside bomb and direct-fire attacks against the Afghan army.

-- During a security search in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, an Afghan-led force detained multiple suspects. The security force was searching for a Taliban facilitator who supports the movement of fighters and weapons within the district, and is also responsible for direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.