Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in the Khugyani district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.

The leader distributed bomb-making materials and planned roadside-bomb attacks against coalition forces. The security force detained another suspect during the operation.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In the Musa Qalah district of Helmand province, a combined force detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who places roadside bombs throughout the province and plans ambushes against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Nerkh district of Wardak province. The leader coordinates attacks against Afghan forces in the Maidan Shahr and Nerkh districts.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Haqqani network leader who plans attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Andar district of Ghazni province. The leader directs insurgent fighters in attacks in the Andar and Deh Yak districts.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized weapons, including a machine gun, while searching for a Haqqani network leader in the Jani Khel district of Paktia province. The leader coordinates attacks against Afghan forces.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents and detained two suspects in the Sharan district of Paktika province. The deceased insurgents were carrying two assault rifles, four grenades, 90 rounds of small-arms ammunition and five blasting caps. The force also found three rocket-propelled grenades, 200 rounds of machine-gun ammunition and improvised explosive device-making components in a nearby building.

-- In the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, a combined force discovered 540 pounds of hashish.

-- A combined force seized an IED, 20 mortar rounds, six mines and some IED components in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province.

-- Combined forces killed two insurgents in an airstrike in the Sharan district of Paktika province. Forces seized an assault rifle with magazines, two grenades, five blasting caps, six cell phones, three RPGs, 200 machine-gun rounds, two bayonets, a two-way radio and three vehicles.

-- Afghan police detained two suspects and coalition forces killed one insurgent and wounded another in the Giro district of Ghazni province.

-- Afghan soldiers detained four suspects in the Jarkanah district of Paktika province. Afghan police captured an individual after he detonated an IED at the Koghani district center in Nangarhar province.

-- Combined forces captured five insurgents in the Sayidabad district of Wardak province.

-- An Afghan civilian turned in 20 mortar rounds, six landmines, 39 fuse heads, two anti-aircraft sights and three detonators and primers in the Barki Barak district of Logar province.

In Nov. 29 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined force found two 12 2mm rockets, three 82 mm mortars, an anti-tank mine, four rocket-propelled grenades, five hand grenades, an assault rifle, more than 4,000 rounds of machine-gun and small-arms ammunition and IED-making components in the Zurmat district of Paktika province.