Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 1, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Afghanistan’s Helmand province today, military officials reported. The arrested Taliban insurgent is responsible for the Aug. 7 insider attack in Paktia province that killed one U.S. service member and wounded three, officials said. During the operation, Afghan troops also seized what is believed to be the Taliban insurgent’s Afghan army identification card. Another suspected insurgent was also arrested. In other operations today: -- A combined force arrested a Haqqani facilitator and detained a number of other suspects in Khost province. The arrested facilitator was directly tied to the June 20 suicide bomber attack on Afghan and coalition forces in the Khost district. In Oct. 31 operations: -- Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni, enabled by coalition forces, seized a large cache of explosive material in Ghazni province. Following the operation, Afghan and coalition forces recovered 3,750 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a known component in making explosives. All seized materials were destroyed at the location. -- A combined force killed a Haqqani leader, Irfan, in Paktia province. Irfan, also known as Asayal and Hamza, was responsible for directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and coordinating the movement of weapons and bomb-making materials for the attacks. In Oct. 30 operations: -- Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit members, enabled by coalition forces, detained more than a dozen suspected insurgents and seized a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices in Parwan province. The Afghan and coalition force also recovered more than a dozen AK-47 assault rifles and several 82 mm mortar rounds and hand grenades.