Afghan, Coalition Troops Arrest Taliban Facilitator

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 18, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader and another insurgent in the Panjwai district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The leader is accused of directing and participating in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the province’s Panjwai and Kandahar districts. He is believed to facilitate weapons and equipment for insurgent operations and to have significant experience with the construction and emplacement of improvised explosive devices.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Samangan province’s Darah-ye Suf-e Pain district detained two insurgents during a search for a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader believed to direct insurgent fighters and to have planned high-profile attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and civilians.

-- In Nuristan province’s Waygal district, a combined force killed two insurgents during a search for the suspected top Taliban official in the district, who is believed to be responsible for leading attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, conducting illegal checkpoints and kidnapping Afghan officials.

-- Afghan Provincial Response Company Uruzgan, enabled by coalition forces, killed two insurgents and seized and destroyed IED-making materials in Uruzgan province’s Shahid-e Hasas district during a search for a Taliban weapons facilitator.