Combined Force Kills Several Insurgents

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 16, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Shirin Tagab district of Afghanistan’s Faryab province today, military officials reported.

The insurgent leader is the deputy military coordinator for Faryab province, officials said. He provides explosives to insurgent leaders and plans attacks.

Officials said the security force engaged numerous insurgents who came out of their compound armed with heavy machine guns, assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. Responding to the threat, the security force killed the insurgents.

No civilians were harmed during the operation.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents and found and destroyed bomb-making materials while searching for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in the Dasht-e Qalah district of Takhar province. The leader was responsible for a Dec. 25 suicide attack that killed an Afghan government official in Takhar, as well as the movement of weapons, explosives and suicide bombers throughout the area.

-- In the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban explosives facilitator who distributes explosives and weapons to insurgents in Kandahar city.

-- A combined force captured a Haqqani network facilitator, detained several suspects, and found bomb-making materials in the Sabari district of Khost province. The facilitator distributed weapons and explosives to insurgents and planned attacks against Afghan forces.

-- In the Mota Khan district of Paktika province, a combined force detained two suspects and seized weapons while searching for a Taliban leader who directs insurgents in attacks throughout the province.

-- A combined force in the Charkh district of Logar province captured a Taliban facilitator and detained another suspect. The facilitator directed attacks against Afghan forces.

-- In the Rodat district of Nangarhar province, a combined force killed an insurgent armed with a grenade and detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Taliban leader who directs attacks, recruits fighters and acquires weapons for Taliban insurgents.

In operations yesterday:

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported force found and destroyed about 352 pounds of homemade explosives suitable for making bombs in the Muquer district of Ghazni province.

-- A combined force detained a suspected insurgent, seized firearms and found about 233 pounds of opium in the Farah-Rud district of Farah province.