Combined Force Detains 2 Suspects, Seizes IEDs

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in the Ishkamish district of Afghanistan’s Takhar province yesterday, military officials reported.

The IMU leader controls a group of insurgents responsible for attacks throughout Kunduz province, officials said.

The security force also seized several improvised explosive device components, officials said.

Also yesterday, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained several suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. The sought-after insurgent leader is a weapons supplier who distributes rocket-propelled grenades and IEDs to Taliban insurgents throughout the region.

In July 19 operations:

-- A coalition airstrike killed Haqqani network leader Abdul Wali and one other insurgent in the Sabari district of Khost province. Abdul Wali led a Haqqani cell that specialized in the production of IEDs used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinated the shipment and distribution of explosive materials to insurgents.

-- A combined force killed four insurgents in Kunar province’s Ghaziabad district.

-- In Laghman province’s Mehtar Lam district, a coalition airstrike killed three insurgents.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Logar province’s Baraki Barak district.

-- In Nangarhar province’s Pachir Wa Agam district, a combined force found and cleared two IEDs.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Paktika province’s Sharan district.

-- A combined force detained an insurgent in Paktiya province’s Gardez district.

-- In Paktiya province’s Zurmat district, a combined force found and cleared an IED.

-- A combined force detained an insurgent in Paktiya province’s Zurmat district.