ISAF Commander Condemns Kabul Explosion, Offers Condolences

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2012 – The commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan strongly condemned today’s explosion in Kabul, which reportedly killed at least one Afghan civilian and injured more than a dozen others, military officials said.

"Like many of the insurgents' attacks, this morning's explosion in Kabul served only to kill and injure innocent Afghan civilians," Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen said in a statement. "I condemn this act, and all indiscriminate insurgent attacks that harm Afghan civilians.

"I offer condolences to the family and friends of those killed and injured in Kabul this morning,” Allen continued. “I also extend my continued thanks and admiration to the Afghan National Security Forces, who immediately secured the scene and rendered assistance to the innocent civilians harmed in this attack. The ISAF community of nations stands with these brave protectors of the Afghan people."

In Afghanistan operations today:
-- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Nad ‘Ali district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province. The arrested Taliban leader had emplaced improvised explosive devices and coordinated attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the Nad ‘Ali district. The security force also detained one other suspected insurgent.
-- A combined force arrested two insurgents during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Pul-e ‘Alam district of Logar province. The sought-after insurgent leader coordinates and plans attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
-- In the Jaghatu district of Wardak province, a combined force arrested two insurgents and seized several weapons during a search for Taliban suicide attack planners. The planners are believed to have been preparing for an attack against Afghan and coalition forces.
-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani leader, detained four other suspects and seized several weapons and ammunition in the Sabari district of Khost province. The arrested Haqqani leader conducted rocket-propelled grenade attacks against Afghan and coalition troops. He also acquired and transferred grenade launchers, rockets and other weapons for Haqqani insurgents operating in the district.

And in an operation yesterday, a combined force arrested a Taliban facilitator in the Jalalabad district of Nangarhar province. The facilitator had provided direct support to the insurgents who conducted the Dec. 2 attack on Jalalabad Airfield.

In a Dec. 15 operation, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force arrested a Taliban leader and detained two other suspects in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader supplied insurgents with weapons and ammunition, coordinated attacks and oversaw the transfer of homemade explosives and IED-making materials.

And on Dec. 14, a combined force discovered an IED cache in the Washir district of Helmand province. The cache contained seven IEDs, weapons and IED-making materials. All the items found in the cache were destroyed.