Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province today, military officials reported.

One additional suspect was detained, officials said.

The Taliban leader moved supplies for fighters and directed an insurgent cell specializing in bomb attacks throughout the province.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force captured a Haqqani network leader and detained another suspect in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. The leader conducted attacks against Afghan forces.

-- Also in Logar’s Pul-e Alam district, a combined force captured a Haqqani network leader who directed roadside-bomb and direct-fire attacks against Afghan forces.

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported force captured a Haqqani network facilitator and detained two other suspects in the Khost district of Khost province. The facilitator supplied explosives for use in attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and detained two other suspects in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province. The facilitator supplied insurgents with explosives.

-- In Kandahar’s Maiwand district, a combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader who conducts direct-fire and roadside-bomb attacks.

-- A combined force in Helmand’s Nahr-e Saraj district detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader who distributes ammunition and weapons to insurgents.

In operations yesterday:

-- In Helmand’s Washir district, an Afghan-led and coalition-supported force detained several suspects while searching for an insurgent leader responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported force detained two suspects in the Shah Joy and Qalat districts of Zabul province.

In Feb. 4 operations:

-- Afghan soldiers and police captured a suspected Taliban bomb maker and weapons manufacturer in Zabul’s Mizan district. The Afghan forces also confiscated numerous weapons, a motorcycle and bomb-making materials. The operation was developed from Afghan intelligence reports. Planning, coordination and execution of the mission was a joint effort involving the Afghan army, the national police and the national security service, officials said.