Combined Force Arrests Taliban-affiliated Insurgent

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2012 – In the Andar district of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, an Afghan and coalition security force today arrested a Taliban-affiliated insurgent responsible for acquiring and emplacing improvised explosive devices along Highway 1, military officials reported.

The Taliban-affiliated insurgent also is responsible for several rocket attacks against Afghan and coalition convoys in the region, officials said.

At the time of his arrest, officials said, the insurgent was actively planning to conduct several more IED attacks along Highway 1, and also was planning to kidnap an Afghan government official.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents during the operation, officials said.

In other operations today:

-- In the Now Zad district of Helmand province, a combined force detained several suspects and seized several assault rifles during an operation to arrest a Taliban explosives cell leader. The Taliban leader controls an insurgent cell specializing in IEDs and suicide attacks.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained numerous suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban weapons supplier in the Zharay district of Kandahar province.

-- In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained multiple suspects and seized more than 100 fake IDs during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader. The sought-after Taliban leader is responsible for providing operational guidance to insurgent fighters, as well as planning attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents, detained several suspects and seized several firearms during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province. The sought-after Taliban leader builds and emplaces IEDs that are used throughout the region. He also acquires heavy weapons and assault rifles for Taliban insurgents.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force killed three insurgents in Ghazni province’s Ab Band district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Kapisa province’s Nejrab district.

-- In Khost province, a combined force found and cleared one IED in the Sabari district and another in the Bak district.

-- A combined force killed three insurgents in Kunar province’s Nari district.

-- In Logar province, a combined force found and cleared an IED in the Pul-e Alam district.

-- A coalition airstrike killed two insurgents in Logar province’s Kharwar district.

-- In Nangarhar province, a combined force detained an insurgent who was emplacing an IED in the Bati Kot district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Paktika province’s Orgun district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Paktia province’s Gardez district.

-- Also in Paktia province, a combined force detained two insurgents who were found in possession of suspicious materials in the Shwak district.