Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 2, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The arrested insurgent leader is suspected of organizing improvised explosive device operations, kidnappings and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

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

In other operations today:
-- In Helmand province, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents during a security operation while searching for a Taliban leader. The Taliban leader is believed to be responsible for distributing munitions to Taliban insurgents and serves as the functional head of a Taliban direct-action cell.

-- In Nangarhar province, a combined force arrested a Taliban facilitator who is believed to have organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and enabled the movement of extremists in central Kunar province. During the operation, the force also detained two suspected insurgents.

-- In Paktiya province, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader suspected of directing attacks against government officials in the province and also working directly with Taliban leaders to carry out the kidnappings and executions of several Afghans. The force also detained a suspected insurgent during the operation.

And, a combined force arrested a Haqqani leader in Logar province Oct. 30. The arrested insurgent leader is alleged to have organized and executed IED attacks.