Combined Force Kills 2 Insurgents, Seizes Heroin

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and seized several pounds of heroin during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

As the security force approached the Taliban leader’s suspected location, an armed group of insurgents displayed hostile intent toward the Afghan and coalition troops, officials said. The security force identified the lethal threat and engaged, killing two insurgents.

The security force also detained four suspected insurgents and seized a firearm as a result of the operation, officials said.

Officials said no civilians were harmed during the operation.

In other operations today:

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained some suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader is suspected of being a specialist in the use of improvised explosive devices and is linked to IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained some suspects and seized firearms and ammunition during an operation to arrest a Haqqani leader in the Khost district of Khost province. The Haqqani leader is linked to IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force arrested a senior Taliban weapons dealer, killed an armed insurgent, detained two suspects and seized firearms in the Talah wa Barfak district of Baghlan province. The detained weapons dealer was a senior Taliban leader in the district’s insurgent network and arranged the purchase and distribution of rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and explosives.

 -- Afghan special police detained two suspects and recovered a machine gun, ammunition and two chest rigs in the Narhin district of Baghlan province.

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents, including the leader of a Taliban attack cell, during a precision airstrike in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force arrested a Taliban IED expert and four other suspects in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province.

-- In the same district, a combined force detained a suspect during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader.

-- Afghan Special Police and coalition forces seized IED-making materials, a motorcycle intended for use in a suicide IED attack, a machine gun, grenades and ammunition in the Shinkai district of Zabul province.

-- A combined force detained four suspects and seized several firearms and IED-making components during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Waghaz district of Ghazni province. The Taliban leader is believed to be responsible for IED attacks and suicide operations throughout the Waghaz district, as well as commanding dozens of insurgent fighters.

In Sept. 22 operations:

-- Recruits under supervision of Afghan Local Police and coalition forces killed a number of enemy insurgents in Shaghowlay village, located in the Qara Bagh district. The police recruits and coalition forces were fired upon while conducting a patrol through the village. After repelling the attack, the Afghan police met with a local religious leader, who indicated the Taliban had been using a local mosque as a staging area for attacks. Upon inspection, the police found two rocket-propelled grenades and a motorcycle near the mosque. An additional search yielded two assault rifles, a machine gun, two grenades and loose ammunition. There were no civilian causalities during the engagement.

-- Afghan Special Police and coalition forces recovered weapons and narcotics in separate operations in Nimroz province. The first operation, in the Zaranji district, resulted in the seizure of 1,250 pounds of dry opium and ammonium nitrate, a banned fertilizer insurgents use to make explosives. In the Chakhansr district, an Afghan-led force recovered 1,234 pounds of opium, 230 pounds of heroin and a machine gun. The combined force also detained two people suspected of moving weapons and narcotics across southern Afghanistan. All of the drugs were destroyed.

-- In the Gardez district of Paktia province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network weapons dealer, detained other suspects, seized weapons accessories and confiscated counterfeit IDs.

-- A combined force in the Gelan district of Ghazni province arrested a Taliban intelligence facilitator suspected of gathering information on Afghan and coalition operations and providing it to Taliban leaders for planning and conducting insurgent attacks.

Taliban Leader Arrested in Kandahar

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban network leader in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province yesterday, military officials reported.

The Taliban leader is believed to have directed distribution of weapons and explosives in central Kandahar, officials said. He also is believed to have planned several high-profile attacks in the region.

At the time of his arrest, officials added, he was believed to be acquiring weapons and bombs for an imminent attack. The security force also detained several suspected insurgents during the operation.

Also yesterday, an Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized explosive material in Helmand province’s Nad-e Ali district. The operation targeted a Taliban insurgent network conducting attacks throughout western Helmand, officials said.

Combined Force Arrests Suspected Taliban Explosives Dealer

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2012 – An Afghan special operations unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a suspected Taliban explosives dealer during an operation in the Zharay district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The detained explosives dealer is believed to be responsible for coordinating the purchase and transfer of explosives and other bomb-making equipment for Taliban insurgents throughout the region, officials said.

Prior to his arrest, the suspect had acquired several components for building homemade bombs, officials said.

The Afghan special operations unit also detained three other suspected insurgents and seized more than 40 pounds of illegal narcotics as a result of this operation.

In another Afghanistan operation today, a combined force arrested a suspected Taliban IED expert, detained several other suspects and seized military uniforms, firearms and explosives in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The arrested IED expert is believed to be a leading figure in the movement and provision of explosives for attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces throughout eastern Nangarhar province.

Also today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of Shabeer, a Haqqani network leader, following a Sept. 2 precision airstrike in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. Shabeer was believed to have been coordinating a high-profile attack using vehicle-borne bombs and other weapons. A post-strike assessment determined no civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized Afghan army uniforms, an assault rifle and IED components during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized a firearm during a search for a Taliban leader in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province.

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents in Logar’s Pul-e Alam district.

In Sept. 2 operations:

-- In the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand province, International Security Assistance Force troops found and destroyed 1,190 pounds of wet and dry opium and detained four people.

-- During a search for a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province, a combined force killed multiple insurgents and seized an 82 mm recoilless rifle.

-- A coalition airstrike killed multiple armed insurgents during an operation in Logar’s Pul-e Alam district.

Also on Sept. 2, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the Aug. 30 arrest of a Taliban insurgent in the Hisarak district of Nangarhar province. The insurgent is accused of using his status as a member of the Afghan National Police to conduct a May attack that killed two coalition service members. Prior to his capture, officials said, he was attempting to join the Afghan army.

In Sept. 1 operations:

-- A combined force killed an insurgent, detained numerous suspects and destroyed an explosives and weapons cache during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- In the Wali Muhammad Shahid Khugyani district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader.

-- A combined force detained numerous suspects during a search for a Taliban bomb maker in the Washer district of Helmand province.

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Weapons Supplier

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 29, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons supplier during an operation in the Andar district of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province today, military officials reported.

The weapons supplier provided Taliban leaders in Ghazni with improvised explosive devices, other weapons and ammunition, officials said.

The security force also detained two additional suspected insurgents during the operation.

Also today, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader and detained two other suspects in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader distributed weapons and explosives to Taliban fighters. He also is suspected of being involved in planning the assassination of an Afghan government official in Kandahar.

In an operation yesterday in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province, a combined force found mortar rounds, two IEDs, bomb-making equipment, and 7,716 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a compound used to produce homemade explosives.

Coalition Forces Capture Key Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

KABUL , Aug. 27, 2012 – The National Directorate of Security and coalition forces has confirmed that the mid-level Taliban leader, Haji Padcha, was one of several insurgents detained during an operation in Kandahar province’s Spin Boldak district Aug. 23. Padcha was a weapons facilitator responsible for supplying insurgents with the rockets used in numerous attacks against Kandahar Airfield.

-- A combined force detained several suspected Taliban insurgents in Logar province’s Pul-e ‘Alam district yesterday. The detained individuals are suspected of being involved in an Aug. 25 attack against an Afghan and coalition installation in Logar province. During the operation, the security force also seized ammunition and military-related equipment.

In Aug. 25 operations:

-- Afghan and coalition officials confirmed that the Tehrik-i Taliban leader Maulawi Dadullah was one of several insurgents killed in a precision airstrike in Kunar province’s Shigal wa Sheltan district Aug. 24.

Dadullah, also known as Jamal, was responsible for the movement of fighters and weapons, as well as attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, the officials said.

Dadullah’s deputy, Shakir, was also killed in the airstrike.

After the strike, a combined force conducted a post-strike assessment and determined no civilians had been injured and no civilian property had been damaged.

-- Several armed insurgents were killed by a precision airstrike during an operation conducted by a combined force in Kunar province’s Marawarah district Aug. 25.

A post-strike assessment determined no civilians had been injured and no property had been damaged.

-- The Zabul Provincial Response Company, supported by coalition troops, was attacked by insurgents Aug. 25 during a search operation in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district. The Afghan-led security force engaged the attackers, killing three of them. After the engagement, the security force seized 176 pounds of homemade explosives, three motorcycles, ammunition and a number of weapons.

-- Afghan and coalition officials confirmed Aug. 25 that a Taliban weapons dealer was one of several insurgents detained during an operation in Helmand province’s Now Zad district Aug. 22. The weapons dealer was responsible for acquiring weapons and ammunition for Taliban fighters in Marjah and Washer districts. He also directed and led attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- Afghan and coalition officials confirmed Aug. 25 that a Haqqani facilitator was one of several insurgents detained during an operation in Khost district, Khost province, Aug. 19. The Haqqani facilitator planed and coordinated complex attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Sabari and Khost districts. At the time of his detention, the facilitator was coordinating the shipment of weapons to insurgents for future attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force arrested a senior Taliban financier in Kandahar province’s Kandahar district Aug. 25. The financier oversaw the financial operations for Taliban insurgents and purchased weapons and ammunition for Taliban attacks in the area.

In other operations:

-- A combined force conducted a second operation in Kunar province’s Shigal wa Sheltan district Aug. 24. During the operation, the security force engaged a group of armed insurgents with a precision airstrike, killing several of them. After the strike, the Afghan and coalition security force conducted a post-strike assessment and determined no civilians had been injured and no civilian property had been damaged.