Combined Force Captures Haqqani Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani terrorist network leader, detained several other suspected insurgents, and seized multiple firearms in the Ghazni district of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province today, military officials reported.

The insurgent leader operated a bomb-making cell and conducted attacks against Afghan forces.

In other operations in Afghanistan today:

-- A combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Musa Qal’ah district of Helmand province. The suspect sends weapons, supplies and money to Taliban operatives.

-- In the Bati Kot district of Nangarhar province, a combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained two other suspects. The leader conducted roadside-bomb attacks against coalition forces.

Yesterday in Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces:

-- Seized 10 mortar rounds, 22 pounds of high-explosive material and bomb-making components in the Zharay district of Kandahar province.

-- Found 2,000 pounds of hashish in Kandahar’s Maiwand district.

-- Found eight rifles and 5,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition in the Andar district of Ghazni province.

-- Captured a Taliban facilitator and another suspect in Kandahar’s Arghandab district.

-- Captured a Taliban leader and one other suspect in the Qalat district of Zabul province. The Taliban leader taught other insurgents how to use explosives.

-- Captured a Haqqani fighter in the Bak district of Khost province.

-- Detained several suspects while searching for a Haqqani leader in the Pul-e ‘Alam district of Logar province.

-- Detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban fighter in Nangarhar’s Shinwar district.

In Dec. 10 operations:

-- In Kandahar’s Panwa’i district, Afghan and coalition forces seized 2,200 pounds of marijuana.

-- A combined patrol found an improvised explosive device, six rocket-propelled grenades, a pressure plate and a propane tank filled with 880 rounds of small-arms ammunition in the Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader, detained two other suspects and destroyed a bomb-making factory in the Maidan Shahr district of Wardak province. The leader planned attacks against Afghan security forces and supplied fighters with weapons and ammunition.

-- In the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province, a combined force killed one insurgent, captured a Taliban IED maker, detained two other suspects, and seized explosives, bomb-making materials and weapons, to include an RPG launcher and grenades.

-- A combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban IED supplier in Kandahar’s Panjwai’ district.

-- In Helamand’s Nad ‘Ali district, a combined force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Taliban leader involved in roadside-bomb attacks and kidnappings.

-- A combined force captured a Haqqani leader, detained another suspect, and seized weapons in the Sarobi district of Paktika province. The insurgent leader conducted attacks against Afghan forces.

In Dec. 9 operations:

-- A combined patrol seized ammunition clips, two mines, two grenades, five RPG rounds, one shotgun, more than 1,200 small-arms rounds and 50 pounds of poppy seeds in Nangarhar’s La’lpur district.

In Dec. 8 operations:

-- Afghan and Romanian troops seized five caches containing a machine gun, rifles, an RPG launcher, RPGs, ammunition, and bomb-making materials, as well as 120,000 pounds of cannabis, in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province.