Combined Forces Confirm Death of al-Qaida Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2012 – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Hanzallah, an al-Qaida leader who operated in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

Hanzallah was killed July 1 during a security operation in the Watahpur district of Afghanistan’s Kunar province, officials said.

Hanzallah acted as a military advisor to insurgents in Kunar, Nuristan and Laghman provinces and provided them with improvised explosive device training, officials said. Officials noted that Hanzallah was one of several al-Qaida terrorists killed during the security operation.

Also today, an airstrike called in by a combined force killed several insurgents in the Bermal district of Paktika province.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force killed two insurgents in Ghazni province’s Giro district.

-- A combined force killed four insurgents in Ghazni province’s Andar district.

-- Combined forces found and safely cleared IEDs in Ghazni province’s Ab Band and Qarah Bagh districts.

-- A combined force detained an insurgent in Khost province’s Gurbuz district.

-- Combined forces detained three insurgents in Khowst province’s Khowst districtand found and safely cleared an IED in Khost’s Sabari district.

-- A combined force killed an insurgent in Kunar province’s Watahpur district, and another detained two insurgents in Kunar’s Sar Kani district.

-- A combined force killed four insurgents in Logar province’s Charkh district.

-- A combined force detained two insurgents in Paktika province’s Sar Rowzah district.

-- Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed three insurgents in Paktia province’s Shwak district.

-- A combined force detained two insurgents in Paktia’s Zurmat district.

-- A combined force found and safely cleared three IEDs, killed two insurgents and detained five others in Wardak province’s Qarah Bagh district.

-- A combined force found and safely cleared two IEDs in Wardak’s Sayyadabad district.

In a June 30 operation, a combined force killed numerous insurgents and seized 220 pounds of poppy seed, 11 pounds of wet opium, IED-making components, 700 7.62mm rounds and weapons in the Shiray Kajaki and Baghran districts of Helmand province.