Combined Force Wounds Taliban Leader, Arrests Insurgent

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 21, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force wounded a senior Taliban leader and arrested another insurgent in the Zharay district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The Taliban leader, who was wounded after he attacked the security force, is responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He and his subordinates facilitate the movement of insurgent weapons and equipment, and they build and plant improvised explosive devices, resulting in the deaths of Afghan civilians, officials said.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Kunar province’s Ghaziabad district wounded an insurgent during a search of a senior Taliban leader who relays instructions from senior Taliban leadership to other insurgents. He extorts money from local businesses to fund insurgent activity and coordinates attacks on Afghan government officials. He also recruits Taliban members and facilitates the movement of equipment for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Nangarhar province’s Lalpur district, a combined force killed three insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader who is the ranking military official in the province’s Bati Kot district. He controls an insurgent IED cell, recruits suicide bombers and is involved in kidnappings of Afghan officials.