Combined Force Arrests Taliban Financier

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban financier in the Zurmat district of Afghanistan’s Paktiya province today, military officials reported.

The financier extorted money and supplies from local villagers to fund Taliban operations, officials said. He also directed improvised explosive device attacks throughout the district.

Officials said the security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized several firearms.
In other operations today:
-- A combined force detained two suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Chimtal district of Balkh province. The sought-after Taliban leader is responsible for conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
-- In the Jani Khel district of Paktiya province, a combined force-directed airstrike killed several insurgents conducted an operation to find a group of armed insurgents. The airstrike did not injure any civilians or damage civilian property.
In Aug. 2 operations:
-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Ghazni province’s Qarah Bagh district.
-- In Ghazni province’s Sayyidabad district, a combined force discovered a weapons cache containing IED-making materials.
-- A combined force found and cleared five IEDs in Khowst province’s Sabari district.
-- In Khowst province, a combined force detained six insurgents in the Khowst district.
-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Logar province’s Pul-E Alam district.
-- A combined force detained five insurgents who were emplacing an IED in Logar province’s Muhammad Aghah district.
-- In Nangarhar province, a combined force found and cleared one IED in the Bati Kot district and another in the Kuz Kunar district.
-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Paktika province’s Sar Rowzah district.
-- In Paktiya province’s Jani Khel district, a coalition airstrike killed eight insurgents and wounded two others who were emplacing IEDs. The wounded insurgents received medical care and were transferred to a base for questioning.
-- A combined force found and cleared two IEDs in Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district.