Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Detains Insurgents

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 17, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained several suspected insurgents in the Panjwai district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported. The Taliban leader oversaw insurgents that attacked Afghan and coalition forces with improvised explosive devices and direct fire. He also facilitated the transfer and delivery of weapons and IEDs to insurgents, officials said, and was involved in the coordination of an assassination attempt. In Afghanistan operations yesterday: -- A combined force in Kandahar’s Daman district arrested a Taliban leader who planned and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and oversaw the acquisition of weapons and ammunition for insurgents. At the time of his arrest, he was involved in the transfer of rockets for use in an attack. -- In Kandahar’s Maiwand district, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader responsible for coordinating attacks on Afghan and coalition forces, including acquisition of IEDs and weapons. In a Jan. 15 operation in Kandahar’s Maiwand district, a combined force detained three armed insurgents who had attacked Afghan civilians.