Force Kills Taliban Leader, Detains Insurgents

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From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 21, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces killed a Taliban leader and several insurgents, detained others and seized weapons throughout Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.

In Balkh province’s Chimtal district, a combined force killed a Taliban leader and detained two suspected insurgents yesterday. The leader, Mullah Yar Mohammed, was responsible for kidnappings, weapons facilitation and ambushes on Afghan forces.

The force also confiscated rocket-propelled grenades and a launcher.

Meanwhile, a coalition patrol in Ghazni province’s Andar district today discovered and safely destroyed 882 pounds of homemade explosives, two recoilless rifles and bomb-making materials.

In Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- A combined security force in Baghlan province’s Andarab district seized 24 grenades, four rockets, two rocket-propelled grenades and bomb-making materials. The force safely destroyed the weapons.

-- A combined security force in Zabul province’s Now Zad district detained multiple suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator who provides reports to Pakistan-based Taliban and serves as a communications conduit for insurgents throughout the region.

-- In Kandahar province’s Spin Boldak district, a combined patrol seized 794 pounds of ammonium nitrate aluminum, which is used in the construction of homemade bombs. The security force safely destroyed the explosive.

-- A coalition security force in Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district detained multiple insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader who directly supports Taliban operations by providing tactical guidance to subordinate fighters, and reports insurgent activity to senior leadership.

-- In Nangarhar province’s Jalalabad district, a combined security force detained multiple suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader who conducts attacks against Afghan forces in the region.

In Sept. 19 Afghanistan news:

-- A combined security force in Paktia province’s Dzadran district killed numerous insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader who manages insurgent operations in Khost and Paktia provinces, as well as organizes the movement of fighters from Pakistan to Afghanistan.

The force located a hideout where several insurgents were observed in fighting positions, posturing for an attack against the force. Responding to threats, air support fired upon the area, resulting in the death of numerous insurgents.

The force also seized assault rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and fragmentation grenades. No civilians were harmed during the operation.