Combined Forces Kill, Detain Several Insurgents

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Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces killed four insurgents, detained six suspects and seized a weapons cache yesterday during separate operations in Regional Command East in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The weapons cache contained a pistol, a remote-control device, and two grenades.

In Sept. 4 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator and numerous associates during an operation in the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province. The man constructed bombs for attacks in the district in support of the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and confiscated bomb-making materials during a search for a Haqqani network leader in the Khost district of Khost province. The leader coordinated attacks against security forces, and is suspected of trafficking roadside bombs, rockets and suicide bombers.

-- Also in Khost province, a combined force detained multiple insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader in the Terayzai district. The leader coordinated attacks against security forces in the region.

-- A combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Waghaz district of Ghazni province. The leader managed a large network of fighters and directed attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- A combined force detained a suspect while searching for a Taliban leader in the Tagab district of Kapisa province. The leader organizes ambushes and suicide-bomb attacks against coalition security forces.

-- In the Charkh district of Logar province, a combined force detained numerous suspects while searching for a Taliban leader involved in attacks against coalition forces in the district.

-- Combined forces killed one insurgent and detained nine others during a series of operations conducted in Regional Command East.

-- In the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, a coalition patrol detained several suspects and found a weapons cache containing one assault rifle, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, four RPG warheads, 21 RPG propellants and one pineapple grenade.

In Sept. 3 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined force detained more than 10 suspects while searching for a Haqqani network facilitator in the Nerkh district of Wardak province. The suspect is responsible for car-bomb attacks in the region. The force also recovered improvised explosive device-making materials.

-- A combined patrol detained one suspect while searching for a Taliban leader in the Chimtal district of Balkh province. The leader distributes weapons and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Talah wa Barfak district of Baghlan province, a combined force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Taliban leader.

-- A combined force detained one suspect while searching for a Taliban leader in the Tagab district of Kapisa province. The leader is responsible for small-arms and suicide-bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Terayzai district of Khost province, a combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Haqqani network leader responsible for coordinating attacks against local security forces. Some weapons and a grenade were confiscated.

-- Combined forces killed three insurgents and detained one during separate operations across Regional Command East. Also, an unmanned aerial vehicle crashed in the Zormat district of Paktya province due to a computer malfunction. The UAV was recovered and there was no enemy activity in the area prior to the crash.

In Sept. 2 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined patrol seized an IED cache during an operation to disrupt an insurgent network in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province. The troops seized eight IEDs. The cache was destroyed.

-- A combined patrol detained multiple enemy fighters during an operation targeting an insurgent leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The leader is responsible for supplying lethal aid for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force discovered an IED cache in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The cache included two anti-personnel mines, two homemade mines, two firing mechanisms, 25 blasting caps and various IED-making materials. The cache was destroyed.

-- A combined force killed a key affiliate of the al-Qaida network during a security operation in the Jalalabad district of Nangarhar province. Sabar Lal was an insurgent leader responsible for attacks and financing insurgent operations in the Pech district of Kunar province. He was in contact with several senior al-Qaida members throughout Kunar and Pakistan. The security force located Sabar Lal at a compound in the Jalalabad district thanks to a tip from local residents. The insurgent emerged from the building with an assault rifle and was killed. Several suspects were taken into custody. Coalition security forces have captured or killed more than 40 al-Qaida insurgents in eastern Afghanistan this year.

-- A combined force killed several insurgents and a local woman during an operation in the Chahar Bolak district of Balkh province. Several insurgents, armed with a machine gun and assault rifles, were identified, engaged, and killed by the security force. The force pursued some other suspects to a nearby compound. During a search, the force fired on what appeared to be a hostile person, but was later discovered to be an unarmed woman. International Security Assistance Force representatives notified Afghan officials about the incident and requested an investigation. Members of the security force also conducted a meeting with area leaders. The focus of the operation was to capture a known Taliban leader who distributed weapons, helped suicide bombers, and conducted attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces.

-- In the Nahr-e Saraj district of Hemland province, a combined force detained several insurgents and seized 60 pounds of heroin. The force was searching for a Taliban leader responsible for coordinating attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force detained one suspect while searching for a Haqqani network facilitator in the Nerkh district of Wardak province. The facilitator planned car-bomb attacks in the region.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force detained several insurgents during a search for a Haqqani network leader who directs a roadside-bomb cell, and coordinates attacks against Afghan soldiers. The security force confiscated and destroyed roadside-bomb components and a grenade. No civilians were harmed.

-- A combined force detained several suspects in the Andar district of Ghazni province while searching for a Haqqani network facilitator who was planning a car-bomb attack in Kabul.

-- Combined forces killed three insurgents and detained 11 suspects during separate operations across Regional Command East.