Combined Force Captures Several Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force captured several insurgents during an operation to capture a senior Haqqani facilitator in the Baraki Barak district of Afghanistan’s Logar province today, military officials reported.

The Haqqani facilitator is suspected of providing weapons and ammunition to insurgents for a planned attack against Afghan government officials, Afghan security forces and coalition security forces in Kabul City, officials said. Additionally, the facilitator has ties to the Pakistan-based leaders of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

No shots were fired and no civilian property was damaged during this operation.

In yesterday’s Afghanistan operations:

-- An Afghan-led force captured a Haqqani leader and detained two other suspects in the Terayzai district of Khost province. The leader directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the Bak district.

-- A combined force found two weapons caches comprising 17 mortars, two rocket-propelled grenades, and five recoilless rifle rounds in the Aliabad district of Kunduz province. The items were destroyed.

In April 21 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and detained one other suspect in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The facilitator provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents in Kandahar City and the Kandahar district for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In April 19 Afghanistan operations:

-- In the Lash-e Joveyn district of Farah province, a combined force discovered a weapons cache containing 36 120 mm mortar rounds, 96 81 mm mortar rounds, four rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and 200 12.7 mm rounds. The cache was destroyed.

In April 18 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined force detained one suspect and destroyed a RPG launcher and multiple rockets while searching for a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator and explosives expert in the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Baghlan province. The facilitator is responsible for multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in northern Afghanistan. He is also suspected in plotting bombings and suicide attacks in Kabul.