Combined Force Detains Several Suspected Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban improvised explosive device expert in the Ghorak district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The expert constructs IEDs and supplies them to Taliban leaders throughout the region for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- Officials confirmed that the Lashkar-e-Taiba insurgent leader Ammar was killed June 29 during an airstrike in the Watahpur district of Kunar province. Ammar had managed a network of insurgents and directed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the province. The airstrike also killed the LeT leader, Khatab Shafiq, and several other insurgents. A follow-on assessment confirmed the airstrike had not injured any civilians and had not damaged any civilian property.

-- In the Terayzai district of Khost province, a combined force detained several suspected insurgents and seized one firearm and multiple grenades during a search for a Haqqani leader. The Haqqani leader plans and coordinates attacks against the Afghan government throughout the province.

-- A combined force detained two suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban bomb maker in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The Taliban bomb maker plans and coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

-- A combined force found and cleared four IEDs in Ghazni province. Two IEDs were found in the province’s Ghazni district, one in the Khwaia Omari district and one in the Gelan district.

-- A combined force detained one insurgent in Ghazni province’s Andar district.

-- A combined force discovered a weapons cache in Ghazni province’s Ab Band district. The cache contained items used to create IEDs.

-- A combined force killed one insurgent in Kunar province’s Darah Ye Pech district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Logar province’s Pul-E Alam district.

-- A combined force found and cleared four IEDs in Nangarhar province. Two IEDs were found in the province’s La’L Pur district, one in the Chapahar district and one in the Achin district.

-- A combined force killed one insurgent in Paktika province’s Orgun district.

-- A combined force discovered a weapons cache containing grenades and mortar rounds used to make IEDs in Wardak province’s Maidan Shahr district.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents in Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district. The insurgents were found with IED-making materials, small arms and ammunition.