Force Captures Haqqani Network Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 15, 2012 – An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force captured a Haqqani network leader in the Bak district of Afghanistan’s Khost province today, military officials reported.

The leader supplied insurgents with bomb-making materials, emplaced roadside bombs and directed fighters in attacks against Afghan forces, officials said. Multiple suspected insurgents also were detained during the operation.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In Khost’s Khost district, an Afghan-led and coalition-supported force captured a Haqqani network leader and detained an additional suspect. The Haqqani leader conducted roadside bomb and direct-fire attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban facilitator, detained several suspects and seized 180 pounds of hashish and 15 pounds of opium in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province. The facilitator conducted roadside-bomb attacks in the Zharay and Panjwai districts.

-- In the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, a combined force detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban leader who conducts direct-fire and roadside-bomb attacks against coalition forces.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained another suspect in the Shinwar district of Nangarhar province. The insurgent leader planned attacks and distributed weapons throughout the province.

-- In Kandahar’s Zharay district, a combined force killed three insurgents who displayed hostile intent after the security force stopped their vehicle, which later was found to contain bombs, bomb components, firearms, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition, and radio transmitters and receivers.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in the Khanabad district of Kunduz province killed two insurgents who displayed hostile intent and detained a suspect during a search for a Taliban leader who is responsible for attacks against civilians and Afghan forces.

-- In Helmand’s Reg-e Khan Neshin district, a combined force found and destroyed about 500 pounds of marijuana seeds.

In a Feb. 13 operation in Nangahar’s Achin district, an Afghan force detained a narcotics dealer and seized about 226 pounds of narcotics and several firearms for destruction at a later date.