Combined Force Arrests Senior Insurgent Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON  – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist group leader in the Chahar Darah district of Afghanistan’s Kunduz province yesterday, military officials reported.

The insurgent leader directed improvised explosive device attacks in Kunduz province. He also acquired IEDs, weapons and rockets and distributed them to insurgents throughout the region, officials said.

The security force also detained two additional suspected insurgents and seized IED-making components during the operation, officials said.

In other operations yesterday:

-- In the Chimtal district of Balkh province, a combined force detained several suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban weapons supplier. The weapons supplier provides machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and IEDs to insurgents in the district.

-- A combined force arrested a Taliban-affiliated insurgent who coordinated insurgent activity in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. He also acquired IED-making components for Taliban fighters in the area. The security force also detained one suspect during the operation.

-- In the Nawah-e Barakzai district of Helmand province, a combined force detained several suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban explosives expert. The insurgent explosives expert operates throughout central Helmand, acquiring, constructing and distributing IEDs to insurgents.

-- In the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, an Afghan-led, coalition supported security force arrested a Taliban leader responsible for multiple attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained several suspects and seized multiple weapons.

In other operations:

-- A precision airstrike killed multiple insurgents during a combined force operation against insurgents operating in combined force the Watahpur district of Kunar province. The airstrike caused no civilians injuries or property damage.

-- A combined force detained three suspects in the Gelan district of Ghazni province.

-- Also in the Gelan district of Ghazni province, another combined force detained multiple suspects and seized explosives during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader. The leader plans and directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The explosives were safely destroyed by the security force.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force arrested multiple insurgents during an operation in Kabul. The security force arrested the insurgents as they were finalizing plans for an attack in the Afghan capital. The security force also seized a large cache of explosives, suicide vest components, weapons and ammunition.

In an Aug. 11 operation, combined force discovered an insurgent bomb-making facility and seized more than 400 pounds of explosives, some IED-making components and detained one suspect in the Muqer district of Ghazni province.