Combined Force Arrests Haqqani Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 7, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader during an operation in the Mota Khan district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province today, military officials reported.

The arrested Haqqani leader planned and conducted improvised explosive device attacks and was involved in organizing the Oct. 20 kidnapping of five Afghan soldiers, officials said.

The security force also detained three other suspected insurgents and seized IED-making materials and multiple firearms, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- In the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader who oversaw a group of insurgents responsible for conducting IED attacks in the central Nad ‘Ali district. The security force also detained two other suspects.
-- In the Kandahar district of Kandahar province, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader and one other suspect. The detained Taliban leader was responsible for transporting and distributing homemade explosives and IED-making components to insurgents.
-- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other suspect in the Pul-e ‘Alam district of Logar province. The arrested Taliban leader operated in Logar province’s Khoshi district and facilitated the acquisition and distribution of weapons in the Khoshi and Plu-e ‘Alam districts. He also oversaw the training of suicide bombers and provided support to Taliban insurgents traveling through the province.
-- A combined force killed three insurgents, detained multiple suspects and seized numerous weapons, grenades and ammunition during a search for a Taliban facilitator in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province.
-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani leader, detained one other suspect and seized numerous weapons in the Khost district of Khost province. The detained Haqqani leader was responsible for overseeing attacks and coordinating IED emplacement in Khost City. He also facilitated the movement of IED-making materials and weapons to insurgents.