Combined Force Detains Haqqani Leader

You think you know what goes happens on the front lines in Afghanistan?  Think again. Prepare to be blown away when these warriors tell you their story.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force yesterday detained a Haqqani network leader and two of his associates during an operation in the Musa Khel district of Afghanistan’s Khost province, military officials reported.

The Haqqani leader was involved in planning an upcoming attack in Kabul city. Recent reports indicate he was considering using a car bomb for the attack.

In other Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- In the Qalat district of Zabul province, a combined force detained numerous suspects during an operation targeting a Taliban facilitator. The facilitator assists with roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during an operation targeting a Taliban leader in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The leader plans roadside-bomb attacks with subordinate Taliban chiefs, and provides weapons and military guidance to local insurgents.

-- A combined patrol detained two suspects during a search for an insurgent leader in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The leader operates in Kotozay village, and provides support and guidance for Taliban members in the district.

-- A combined force detained several Haqqani members in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province. The force was involved in operations aimed at disrupting a local attack cell, whose members reportedly have been planning an attack in Kabul city.

-- Combined forces in Regional Command East detained one suspect and found a weapons cache that contained multiple assault rifles and a suicide-bomb vest. Bagram Airfield also received two rounds of indirect fire. No injuries and no damages were reported. The incident is under investigation.

-- A combined patrol seized an insurgent leader and detained numerous suspects during an operation in the Bala Boluk district of Farah province. The leader was responsible for supplying lethal aid used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The patrol also confiscated and destroyed one 105mm artillery round and some small-arms ammunition.

-- A combined patrol seized a weapons cache during an operation in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province. The patrol also seized and destroyed seven mortar rounds and five rocket-propelled grenades.

-- In the Chorah district of Uruzgan province, a coalition patrol discovered a weapons cache containing one 82mm mortar, one assault rifle, one .303-caliber rifle, 520 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a webbing set containing three full assault rifle magazines, eight small-arms magazines, six rocket-propelled grenade warheads, nine RPG propellants, one rocket motor, one RPG fuse and one radio antenna. The cache will be destroyed.

In Aug. 26 Afghanistan news:

-- A combined patrol detained an insurgent leader during an operation in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province. The leader was responsible for supplying ammunition and explosives used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.