Combined Force Captures Haqqani Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan  – An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in the Nadir Shah Kot district of Afghanistan’s Khost province yesterday, military officials reported.

The leader planned and directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district, officials said. He also coordinated with Haqqani leaders in Pakistan for weapons, ammunition and newly-trained insurgents.

The security force also detained several other suspected Haqqani members and seized multiple AK-47 rifles.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained several other insurgents in the Washer district of Helmand province. The leader directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is suspected in the attempted assassination of multiple Afghan government officials participating in a shura last month.

In April 26 operations:

-- A combined force discovered a drug cache containing approximately 15,400 pounds of hashish in the Panjwa‘i district of Kandahar province. The drugs were destroyed.

In April 25 operations:

-- Afghan forces planned and led a counter-narcotics operation supported by coalition forces that resulted in the discovery of 2,288 pounds of opium inside a vehicle in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The opium was destroyed and several suspects were detained.