Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan  – An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader and detained an additional suspected insurgent in the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province yesterday, military officials reported.

The leader directed roadside bombings and suicide attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district, officials said. He also is suspected in a kidnapping plot.

The security force also found and destroyed a motorcycle with 55 pounds of homemade explosives and multiple insurgent weapons.

In other Afghanistan operations Thursday:

-- In the Pashtun Kot district of Faryab province, a combined force captured a Taliban leader, detained several suspected insurgents, and found and destroyed multiple weapons and hand grenades. The leader coordinates large-scale insurgent attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces, supervises Taliban finances and distributes weapons and ammunition.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained multiple suspects in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province. The leader provides weapons and ammunition to insurgents and directs attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.

-- A combined force in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province captured a Taliban leader who directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.