Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Seizes IED Materials

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2013 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Shah Wali Kot district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.
The arrested Taliban leader provided weapons and ammunition to insurgent fighters in the central Arghandab and southwest Shah Wali Kot districts, officials said. He also planned and coordinated improvised explosive device attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

The security force also seized IED-making materials during the operation, officials said.

Also today, a combined force arrested a member of the Haqqani network in the Pul-e ‘Alam district of Logar province. The arrested Haqqani insurgent planned and executed attacks against Afghan government officials as well as Afghan and coalition forces. He was also responsible for the movement of weapons and provided funds to Haqqani fighters operating in the Pul-e ‘Alam district.
In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. The arrested Taliban leader directed IED operations in the Zharay and Panjwa’i districts. He also provided supplies, weapons and ammunition to insurgents for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province.

-- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader in the Khanabad district of Kunduz province. The arrested Taliban leader organized insurgents and procured IEDs and other weapons for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force arrested a local Haqqani leader, detained several other suspects, and seized multiple weapons. The Haqqani leader planned and executed direct-fire and IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and oversaw IED emplacements in the district.

In Dec. 31, 2012, operations:

-- In the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province, a combined force killed the Taliban leader, Nurullah Khan, and one other insurgent. Nurullah Khan, also known as Shaker, transported and distributed weapons for insurgents in Kunduz province. At the time of his death, Nurullah Khan was coordinating the movement of explosives for use in a future IED attack.

-- In the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, a combined force arrested a local Taliban leader and detained three other suspects. The arrested Taliban leader coordinated IED attacks and distributed IEDs and IED-making components to insurgents.

-- In the Khost district of Khost province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani leader and killed one other insurgent. The arrested Haqqani leader planned the Dec. 26, 2012, vehicle-borne IED suicide attack against Forward Operating Base Chapman.