Combined Force Arrests Suspected Taliban Explosives Dealer

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2012 – An Afghan special operations unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a suspected Taliban explosives dealer during an operation in the Zharay district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The detained explosives dealer is believed to be responsible for coordinating the purchase and transfer of explosives and other bomb-making equipment for Taliban insurgents throughout the region, officials said.

Prior to his arrest, the suspect had acquired several components for building homemade bombs, officials said.

The Afghan special operations unit also detained three other suspected insurgents and seized more than 40 pounds of illegal narcotics as a result of this operation.

In another Afghanistan operation today, a combined force arrested a suspected Taliban IED expert, detained several other suspects and seized military uniforms, firearms and explosives in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The arrested IED expert is believed to be a leading figure in the movement and provision of explosives for attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces throughout eastern Nangarhar province.

Also today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of Shabeer, a Haqqani network leader, following a Sept. 2 precision airstrike in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. Shabeer was believed to have been coordinating a high-profile attack using vehicle-borne bombs and other weapons. A post-strike assessment determined no civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized Afghan army uniforms, an assault rifle and IED components during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized a firearm during a search for a Taliban leader in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province.

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents in Logar’s Pul-e Alam district.

In Sept. 2 operations:

-- In the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand province, International Security Assistance Force troops found and destroyed 1,190 pounds of wet and dry opium and detained four people.

-- During a search for a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province, a combined force killed multiple insurgents and seized an 82 mm recoilless rifle.

-- A coalition airstrike killed multiple armed insurgents during an operation in Logar’s Pul-e Alam district.

Also on Sept. 2, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the Aug. 30 arrest of a Taliban insurgent in the Hisarak district of Nangarhar province. The insurgent is accused of using his status as a member of the Afghan National Police to conduct a May attack that killed two coalition service members. Prior to his capture, officials said, he was attempting to join the Afghan army.

In Sept. 1 operations:

-- A combined force killed an insurgent, detained numerous suspects and destroyed an explosives and weapons cache during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- In the Wali Muhammad Shahid Khugyani district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader.

-- A combined force detained numerous suspects during a search for a Taliban bomb maker in the Washer district of Helmand province.