Combined Force Arrests Taliban Weapons Dealer

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons dealer and detained two suspected insurgents in the Panjwai district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The weapons dealer provided Taliban fighters with weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive device material for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. At the time of his arrest, officials said, he was trying to arrange weapons training for insurgents in the province.

In other news today:

-- In the Now Zad district of Helmand province, a combined force found and destroyed 16 IEDs and more than 4,100 pounds of wet opium.

-- Afghan and coalition security force officials confirmed that a Haqqani network leader responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces was one of those detained during an Aug. 9 operation in the Shwak district of Paktia province.

In operations yesterday:

-- In the Chimtal district of Balkh province, a combined force arrested a Taliban weapons supplier who provided machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and IEDs to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in and around the district. The weapons supplier also placed IEDs along local roads.

-- During an operation in the Watahpur district of Kunar province, a combined force conducted a precision airstrike against a group of armed insurgents. The force confirmed the strike had killed multiple insurgents and had not injured civilians or damaged civilian property.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani weapons supplier. The supplier smuggled assault rifles into the district and tried to acquire grenades for a planned attack against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also responsible for coordinating multiple attacks against security forces. The combined force also detained several suspected insurgents and seized firearms.

In Aug. 12 operations:

--In the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network leader who directed and conducted numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the province. Before his arrest, the Haqqani leader tried to acquire IED components for additional attacks. The security force also detained three suspected insurgents.

-- An Afghan security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested senior Taliban leader Mawawi Akbar in the Surobi district of Kabul province. Before his arrest, Akbar was one of the most senior Taliban insurgents operating in Surobi, and he was responsible for facilitating the movement of suicide bombers throughout the province.