Security Force Kills 7 Insurgents, Captures More than 30

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2012 – An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force killed seven insurgents and captured more than 30 others during a search for a Taliban leader in the Charhar district of Afghanistan’s Balkh province today, military officials reported.

The Taliban leader plans attacks against Afghan forces and directs the placement of bombs throughout the province.

Insurgents used rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire to engage the security force. They also used Afghan civilians as human shields. The security force seized explosives, pressure-plate bombs, weapons and ammunition. The material was destroyed.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force captured a Taliban commander in the Musa Qalah district of Helmand province. The leader organized insurgent cells and directed attacks against Afghan forces throughout the Musa Qalah and Nahr-e Saraj districts. The security force also confiscated bomb-making materials and detained two suspected insurgents.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province. The leader was responsible for multiple attacks in the Zharay district. Several suspects were detained during the operation.

-- A combined force detained a suspect during a search for a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province. The insurgent leader coordinates attacks against Afghan government officials.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and seized weapons and bomb-making materials in the Behsud district of Nangarhar province. The facilitator distributed weapons and coordinated attacks throughout the province.

-- A combined force seized firearms and detained two suspects during a search for a Haqqani network leader in the Sabari district of Khost province. The leader procures weapons and coordinates attacks in the province.

Also, a combined patrol seized and destroyed 1,100 pounds of marijuana yesterday in Kandahar’s Panjwai district.

In other news, Afghan officials signed a national security operations plan today. The plan includes securing of the country’s borders, creating an environment for the expansion of good governance, enabling nationwide commerce and cultural expression, and providing the opportunity for peace and stability. The defense and interior ministries and the National Directorate of Security collaborated over three months and 33 meetings to produce the plan, which calls for a partnership among the Afghan army, the national police, the National Directorate of Security, other Afghan security forces and the International Security Assistance Force.