Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The insurgent leader was responsible for sniper and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the region, officials said. He also provided support to insurgents in the province and delivered small-arms and vehicles for use in attacks.

The security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The Taliban leader is responsible for directing and participating in IED and direct-fire attacks against coalition forces in Kandahar and Helmand provinces.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader as well as one other insurgent, and seized IED-making components and an AK-47 rifle in the Gardez district of Paktiya province. The Taliban leader was responsible for building and using IED’s in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinated the purchase and shipment of weapons and explosives for insurgents.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Nadir Shah Kot district of Khost province.

In June 18 operations:

-- In the Shahr-e-Buzurg district of Badakhshan province, a combined force called in an airstrike that killed an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader. No civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed during the operation.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized multiple small-arms and ammunition in the Yaftal-e Sufla district of Badakhshan province.

-- A combined force killed four insurgents during a search for a Haqqani explosives expert in the Mota Khan district of Paktika province. The force also detained one suspect and seized multiple assault rifles, grenades and a suicide vest.

In June 17 operations:

-- A combined force called in an airstrike that killed several Taliban leaders during an operation in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan.

In June 16 operations:

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized 3,300 pounds of opium and 5,500 pounds of ammonium chloride, a chemical used to refine opium into heroin, in the Northern Musa Qal’ah district of Helmand province. The opium, chemicals and drug-processing equipment were destroyed.