Security Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Kandahar Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 3, 2013 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader during an operation in the Shah Wali Kot district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The arrested Taliban leader was responsible for the planning and execution of vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also oversaw the transfer and delivery of IEDs to insurgents operating throughout the district.

Also today, a combined force arrested three insurgents during a search for a Haqqani facilitator in the Khost district of Khost province. The sought-after Haqqani facilitator coordinates the movement and transfer of weapons, explosives and IED components to insurgents within the district.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- Taliban leader Mubariz Jaan was killed by a combined force in the Andar district of Ghazni province. Mubariz Jaan was responsible for gathering intelligence and directing attacks against Afghan civilians and government officials. Prior to his death, Mubariz Jaan was coordinating attacks against Afghan police in the province.

-- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader and killed one other insurgent in the Pul-e Khumri district of Baghlan province. The arrested Taliban leader financed IEDs, other weapons and ammunition for insurgent attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Prior to his detention, he was facilitating the movement of IEDs and suicide bombers for attacks in the province.

-- In the Hisarak district of Nangarhar province, a combined force killed Taliban leader Abdullah and four other insurgents. Abdullah was responsible for directing and participating in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Prior to his death, Abdullah was reporting the movement of Afghan and coalition forces to insurgent leaders.