Afghan, Coalition Troops Arrest Taliban IED Facilitator

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban improvised explosive device facilitator in the Nad-e Ali district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The facilitator is believed responsible for the procurement, construction and distribution of IEDs and other weapons to Taliban leaders operating in the district. He is alleged to have overseen the acquisition and delivery of heavy weapons to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and seized firearms in the operation.
In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Kandahar province’s Maiwand district arrested a Taliban leader who is believed to have overseen nearly 30 Taliban fighters and is suspected of being responsible for coordinating complex attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Baghlan province’s Baghlan-e Jadid district, a combined force detained two insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader believed to command 25 Taliban fighters and to oversee IED operations.
In Feb. 1 operations:

-- A combined force in Kunduz province’s Khanabad district arrested a Taliban IED coordinator who is believed to have conducted attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized IED-making materials.

-- In Khost province’s Khost district, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network IED expert accused of coordinating the acquisition and transfer of homemade explosives, weapons and IEDs for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained another suspected insurgent and seized assault rifles in the operation.