Combined Force in Khost Province Kills Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents and detained a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator in the Nadir Shah district of Afghanistan’s Khost province yesterday, military officials reported.

The facilitator, who was responsible for coordinating small-arms and indirect-fire attacks, also purchased equipment and supplies for insurgents in the area.

While searching the area, the security force killed several insurgents and wounded another during an engagement and later confiscated several assault rifles, bomb-making materials and chest racks following the engagement. Completing the operation, the security force located and detained the targeted facilitator and multiple associates.

In other operations throughout Afghanistan yesterday:

-- In Baghlan province’s Pul-e Khumri district, a combined force detained a Taliban leader and one of his associates. The leader directed a cell of fighters in roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan forces and levied illegal taxes on local civilians.

-- A combined force in Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for a cell of enemy fighters in the district.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, a combined force detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Haqqani network leader who is responsible for coordinating roadside-bomb and direct-action attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force in Paktika province’s Orgun district captured a Haqqani network leader who directed a large cell of fighters in conducting roadside-bomb attacks in the district. The combined force also detained several of his associates.

-- In Kapisa province’s Tagab district, a combined force detained multiple suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader who conducts roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A coalition in Ghazni province’s Ghazni district found and safely destroyed 562 pounds of homemade explosives and various bomb-making materials.

In Aug. 20 operations:

-- A combined patrol targeting a roadside-bomb network in Helmand province’s Nad-e Ali district

seized and safely destroyed 425 pounds of homemade explosive material, 18 pressure plates, six battery packs, four grenades, remote-control detonation components and small-arms ammunition.

-- In Kunduz province’s Kunduz district, a combined force found and safely destroyed eight mortar rounds.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and several associates in Kandahar province’s Panjwai district. The Taliban leader was responsible for coordinating attacks and acquiring weapons for insurgents in the district. The force also destroyed an unstable explosive ordinance facility during the operation, neutralizing the threat to Afghan civilians in the area.

-- In Zabul province’s Qalat district, a combined force captured a Taliban leader and another suspected insurgent during a security operation, yesterday. The detained leader was responsible for leading attacks against Afghan forces in the district, and he coordinated roadside-bomb placements and facilitated weapons for other insurgents.

-- A combined force destroyed an unstable explosive ordinance facility and detained two suspected insurgents in Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district. The operation’s target was a Taliban leader involved in the facilitation, movement and preparation of heavy weapons throughout the upper Gereshk area.

-- In Wardak province’s Nerkh district, a combined force killed two insurgents and detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin terrorist organization leader who is the bodyguard for the highest appointed Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin district leader. While searching for the leader, the force noticed several armed insurgents hiding in a nearby tree line. After they identified the threat, the force fired at the armed insurgents, killing two. Following the engagement, the force seized multiple grenades, assault rifles and chest racks.

-- A combined force acting on tips from local civilians killed two insurgents during a search for a Haqqani network leader in Paktia province’s Zurmat district. The targeted leader is responsible for building roadside bombs and coordinating direct-action enemy attacks in the district. The two insurgents who were killed were armed with grenades, assault rifles, blasting caps for explosives, detonation cord and chest racks.

-- In Helmand province’s Lashkar Gah district, a combined patrol seized five grenades, 174 pounds of explosives, eight detonators, 18 pressures plates and various bomb-making materials.

In Aug. 19 operations:

-- A combined operation resulted in seizure and destruction of 463 pounds of wet opium and detention of two suspected insurgents in Kandahar province’s Maiwand district.

-- A combined patrol targeting a roadside-bomb network in Uruzgan province’s Tarin Kot district detained numerous suspected insurgents.

-- A combined force in Kandahar city, Kandahar province, detained numerous suspected insurgents while searching for an insurgent leader responsible for planning imminent attacks against Afghan government compounds throughout the provincial capital.

-- In Kunduz province’s Aliabad district, a combined force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader who facilitates the movement and acquisition of weapons for insurgents in the district.

-- A combined force detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Taliban facilitator in Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district. The facilitator is responsible for building and supplying roadside bombs to Taliban fighters in the area.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, a combined force detained numerous suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader who plans and conducts direct-action and roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents during a search in Paktia province’s Zurmat district for a Haqqani network leader who coordinates roadside-bomb and direct-action attacks Afghan forces.

-- In Logar province’s Charkh district, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator responsible for manufacturing roadside bombs and moving roadside-bomb components for attacks against Afghan forces.