Afghan, Coalition Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Baghlan

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 11, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Burkah district of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province today, military officials reported. The leader planned and executed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces for both the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and both insurgent groups used him to root out people in their organizations thought to be disloyal, officials said. Also today, a combined force in Khost province’s Sabari district arrested a Taliban leader who was assisting in the preparation of a vehicle-borne bomb and the acquisition of ammunition for an upcoming attack against Afghan and coalition forces. Yesterday, an Afghan army patrol found three homemade bombs and more than 800 pounds of explosives in Helmand province’s Garm Ser district. The Afghan soldiers secured the site, and a coalition explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the cache.