Combined Force Captures 2 Haqqani Leaders

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 12, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force captured two Haqqani network leaders and five additional suspected insurgents during a March 10 operation in the Pul-e Alam district of Afghanistan’s Logar province, military officials reported.

One leader oversaw the construction of roadside bombs and the other directed the emplacement of those bombs for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

The two Haqqani leaders also are suspected in plotting the assassination of an Afghan army division commander.

The security force also seized a suicide vest, bomb-making materials and mortar rounds during the operation.

In other March 10 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and detained two suspects in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The Taliban facilitator provided weapons and supplies to insurgents operating in Khanabad district. The captured facilitator also is suspected in a plot to conduct a prison break to free an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist.

-- In a separate operation in the same district, a combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained another suspect. The leader coordinated roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition troops and is suspected in planning suicide attacks.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained another suspect in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province. The leader directed attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.

-- A combined patrol found an assault rifle, 800 rounds of small-arms ammunition, 132 pounds of homemade explosives and bomb-making components in the Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province.

-- A combined force detained five suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Gelan district of Ghazni province. The leader directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces along Highway 1.

In a March 9 operation, a combined force found 10,890 pounds of explosive materials in Ghazni’s Ghazni district.