Forces Detain Haqqani Leader in Eastern Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Haqqani network leader during an overnight operation in eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The Afghan-led force located the leader in the Zurmat district of Paktiya province. He is believed responsible for a roadside bomb attack that killed three International Security Assistance Force service members yesterday. Several of the man’s associates also were detained at the compound in the district. The force detained the men, and safely destroyed several roadside bomb components, grenades and a chest rack in their possession.

The Haqqani network, which operates primarily in Khost, Paktiya and Paktika provinces, has been involved in several high-profile attacks in the capital city of Kabul. Combined Afghan and coalition security forces have captured more than 80 Haqqani leaders this year.

In other ISAF news from Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined force killed one insurgent and detained several others during an operation in the northern province of Sar-e Pul. With tips from residents, the Afghan-led force went to an area where a group of known insurgents were conducting Taliban activities. The force located one of the insurgents and called on him to surrender peacefully. The insurgent, armed with an AK-47 rifle, did not comply, and made a series of aggressive movements before being engaged and killed by the force. The force detained the remaining insurgents without incident.

-- In Kunduz, an Afghan-led force detained multiple suspected insurgents during a security search in the Archi district.

-- A combined force operating in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator known for smuggling weapons from Kandahar province and Pakistan to insurgents throughout Helmand.

-- In Helmand’s Panjwa’i district, an Afghan-led force detained a suspected insurgent during a search for a Taliban leader responsible for roadside bomb and direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Zabul province’s Qalat district, an Afghan-led force detained several people with suspected ties to the Taliban while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for roadside bombs in the area.

-- A combined security force detained multiple suspected insurgents and discovered 50 pounds of ammonium nitrate during a search for a Taliban leader in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province. The leader directs Taliban fighters in conducting attacks along Highway 1.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, an Afghan-led security force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader who commands an insurgent cell there. The force detained two additional suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani facilitator involved in large-scale movements of supplies for insurgents in the area.

-- In Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district, an Afghan-led force detained two suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who directs an insurgent cell to carry out bombing attacks in the district and is responsible for attacks against Afghan government officials.