Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader today in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, military officials reported.

The leader executed attacks against coalition forces in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Zabul province, officials said.

Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported force in Kandahar’s Maiwand district captured a Taliban leader who operated an attack cell in Helmand province and conducted attacks in the Nahr-e Saraj and Sangin districts.

In operations yesterday:

-- In the Shah Joy and Qalat districts of Zabul province, an Afghan-led and coalition-supported force detained two suspects.

-- In the Darah-ye district of Kunar province, a combined patrol found and destroyed about 880 pounds of hashish.

-- A combined patrol found and destroyed about 60,000 pounds of marijuana in Kandahar’s Panjwai district.

-- Also in Kandahar’s Panjwai district, a combined patrol found about 550 pounds of marijuana seeds. The seeds will be destroyed at a later date.

-- A combined patrol found about 330 pounds of marijuana seeds in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The seeds will be destroyed at a later date.