Combined Force Detains Taliban Facilitator

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2012 – An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force detained a Taliban facilitator and another insurgent in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The facilitator supplied weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops in Kandahar City, officials said. He also was planning an attack against a district center and was plotting to assassinate a district governor.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force detained two insurgents during a search for a Haqqani network leader in the Yosuf Khel district of Paktika province. The leader plans and directs attacks against Afghan government officials, Afghan forces and civilians.

-- A combined force detained multiple suspected insurgents during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. The sought-after insurgent leader directs roadside bombings against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the province. He also coordinates the delivery of materials to build roadside bombs.

-- During a search for a Taliban facilitator in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents and seized a rifle, grenades and more than 500 rounds of small-arms ammunition. The facilitator coordinates roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district.

In May 13 Afghanistan operations:

-- A coalition airstrike killed three insurgents attacking Afghan soldiers in the Mehtar Lam district of Laghman province.

-- Afghan border police killed an insurgent during a firefight in the Dila Wa Khosha district of Paktika province. The border police seized two machine guns and a motorcycle.

-- Afghan security forces detained 10 suspects and seized small arms, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and ammunition while searching vehicles in the Moqur district of Ghazni province. The Afghan forces found the suspects with Taliban tattoos and weaponry and believed them to be involved in an earlier insurgent attack.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and seized bomb-making materials, more than 100 batteries and ammunition containers in the Charkh district of Logar province. The detained insurgent leader directed roadside bombings and ambushes against Afghan and coalition patrols. He also provided weapons to insurgents.

-- In the Panjwai district of Kandahar province, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained a Taliban facilitator and multiple other suspected insurgents. The facilitator coordinated funding for insurgent operations and managed the movement of weapons, ammunition and personnel into the district.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained several suspected insurgents and seized assault rifles and loaded magazines during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Khost district of Khost province. The leader directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Muhammad Aghah district of Logar province, a combined force detained a suspected insurgent during a search for a Haqqani leader who directs roadside bombings against Afghan and coalition troops. He also supplies weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and communications equipment to insurgents.

In a May 11 operation, a combined force searching for a Haqqani leader called in an airstrike that killed multiple insurgents in the Sarobi district of Paktika province. The sought-after Haqqani leader organizes indirect-fire attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition forces. The combined force seized rocket-propelled grenade launchers, assault rifles and explosives after the operation.