Combined Force Makes Arrests in Helmand Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 1, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and two other insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The leader oversees insurgent improvised explosive device operations throughout the district and serves as a weapons facilitator, procuring and distributing explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition and other military equipment for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Kandahar province’s Panjwai district arrested seven insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader in charge of a cell of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinates IED and suicide-bomber operations throughout the province, and is involved in insurgent weapons facilitation.

-- In Paktia province’s Gardez district, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network leader responsible for IED attacks, ambushes, and kidnapping operations against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is connected to suicide bombings and coordinates the movement of weapons in the local area. The security force also arrested another insurgent.

In operations yesterday:

-- Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, killed one insurgent, arrested three others and seized and destroyed weapons, grenades and ammunition in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district.

-- In Ghazni province’s Ghazni district, Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni seized and destroyed 88 pounds of homemade explosives, 16 detonators, several radios and various IED-making materials.
-- Also in Ghazni province, Afghan and U.S. Special Forces in the Andar district provided a quick-reaction force for successful defense of a local police checkpoint.

-- Responding to an attack on local police in Laghman province’s Alingar district, an Afghan quick-reaction force, led by members of Provincial Response Company Laghman, killed three insurgents who were attacking a police checkpoint.