Combined Force Detains Taliban Weapons Supplier

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban weapons supplier in the Chimtal district of Afghanistan’s Balkh province today, military officials reported.

The weapons supplier provided firearms, explosives and improvised explosive devices to Taliban insurgents throughout the region, officials said. At the time of his arrest, he was in the process of acquiring IEDs for upcoming attacks.

The security force also detained another suspected insurgent during the operation, officials said.

Also today, officials confirmed that Taliban leader Nek Mohammad was killed July 1 in the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province. Mohammad had served as a senior Taliban leader in the region and directed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Officials also confirmed today that a Taliban leader known as Hamza was killed July 2 in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province. Hamza had managed several Taliban insurgents and coordinated attacks with other Taliban leaders throughout the region.

In operations around Afghanistan today:

-- A combined force in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province apprehended a Taliban leader and detained two other insurgents. The detained Taliban leader led an attack cell and coordinated high-profile attacks. At the time of his arrest, he was attempting to acquire suicide vests and more than 110 pounds of explosives.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and several other suspects in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. The apprehended Taliban leader was responsible for attacks against coalition security patrols throughout the region and the killing of multiple Afghan soldiers in May.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force seized more than 40 pounds of opium during a search for a Taliban leader in Kandahar’s Panjwai district.

-- A combined force discovered and cleared two IEDs, one in Ghazni province’s Ab Band District and another in the province’s Qarah Bagh district.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents and detained three others in Ghazni province’s Dehyak district.

-- A combined force killed an insurgent in Khost province’s Qalandar district, and another combined force found and cleared an IED in the province’s Khost district.

-- Combined forces found and cleared two IEDs in Paktika province’s Sar Rowzah district and another in the province’s Wazah Kwah district.

-- A combined force killed five insurgents and detained a suspect in Paktia province’s Lajah Ahmadkhel district.

DOD Helps Afghans Develop Mineral Enterprise

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2011 – A Defense Department task force working with the U.S. Geological Survey is modernizing Afghanistan’s geological enterprise so the war-torn nation can stimulate international investment in its rich deposits of minerals, fossil fuels and rare-earth elements.

The DOD Task Force for Business and Stability Operations is providing state-of-the-art equipment and, with USGS, training for geophysicists at the Afghanistan Geological Survey so the government eventually can use modern tools to conduct and oversee mineral exploration there.

“We’ve been working with the USGS on this program since September 2009,” Emily Scott, task force director of natural resource development, told American Forces Press Service.

“We just signed another interagency agreement to continue working with the USGS on geophysics capacity training for the next fiscal year,” she added. The fiscal year ends Sept. 30, 2012.

After several months of mainly classroom training for five Afghan scientists at the USGS in Denver, Colo., Scott said, “this year we will focus on [getting the scientists] out in the field in Afghanistan and collecting ground geophysics data with the equipment we purchased.”

Geophysics is the study of Earth’s shape, gravitation, magnetism, internal structure, composition and other features.

For the purpose of mining, geophysicists can figure out what’s in the ground by measuring characteristics of the surface material and the subsurface rocks.

These include the chemical composition of the surface material and, for subsurface rocks, electrical conductivity, tiny variations in the earth’s magnetic and gravity fields, and how different rocks absorb light, called infrared spectral reflectance.

“Each rock has its own characteristic density,” Dr. Victor F. Labson, director of the USGS Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, told American Forces Press Service.

“By understanding the density distribution and understanding which rocks have what density -- and we [know] that from a hundred years of laboratory measurements -- we can then discern what sort of rocks are in the subsurface from the gravity variations.”

The same thing is true for magnetics, conductivity and light absorption, he added -- each kind of rock responds differently to each measuring instrument.

These properties can be measured on the ground and, since 1943 when magnetic anomaly detectors were used on planes over the ocean to hunt for enemy submarines during World War II, from the air.

The Afghan geophysicists are being trained in ground geophysics but the real need is to enable them to work with companies that invest in exploring Afghan mineral deposits and bring in their own contractors to do the flights and data collection.

“There’s a huge commercial industry that supports airborne geophysics,” Labson said, “So we hope they’ll have the understanding and the ability to write [specifications for and to monitor] contracts, and then interpret the data resulting from airborne surveys.”

The USGS has just completed and published on its website more than 20 highly prospective area reports for deposits in Afghanistan that seem to have particular potential, he said.

“The idea is to help create a stable economy, that’s really the underlying mission of the task force,” Labson said.

“Developing the resources would be an economic boost,” he added, “but there are a lot of jobs associated with it as well.”

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines, supported by the task force, made progress on its goals yesterday in London at an international conference called Mines and Money.

There, the ministry opened tender processes, or auctions, for exploration and later exploitation of four project areas with deposits containing gold and copper.

“Afghanistan is a geologically rich country,” Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani said yesterday in a statement. “Assessments of only a fraction of the country’s land area indicate the potential for considerable mineral resources.”

What this means, Scott explained, “is that international investors will compete for each deposit for the next year.”

The companies will have until March, she added, “to submit what we call their expressions of interest, at which time we’ll begin qualifying the companies and determining who’s qualified to bid. Then they’ll be invited to put bids together for each deposit.”

The four copper and gold tenders will be marketed in parallel, Scott said. A lithium deposit in the Herat province will be marketed separately.

Of the first four deposits, one is a copper deposit in Herat province called Shaida, Zarkashan is a copper and gold deposit in Ghazni province, Badakhshan is a gold deposit in the country’s north, and Balkhab is a copper deposit in Sar-I-Pul and Balkh provinces.

“These are exploration deposits,,” Scott said, “so at this point the companies will have to come in and do ground geophysics, airborne geophysics and drilling in order for them to come to a value on the deposit at that level.”

She added: “Copper and gold deposits of this size tend to be worth billions of dollars.”

Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 5, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition force yesterday killed a Taliban leader and one suspected insurgent during a security operation in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province, military officials reported.

Sheen Abdul Rahman was a Taliban leader who directed more than 70 fighters to conduct roadside bomb, landmine and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan members of the combined force located Rahman, who was armed with an AK-47 rifle and chest rack. Rahman was engaged and killed when he presented a threat to the force.

While searching a building, the security force encountered a suspected insurgent who was armed with a pistol. The security force fired at the individual, killing him.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- Coalition forces operating in the Sayad district of Sar-e Pul province called in airstrikes that killed numerous Taliban insurgents.

-- During an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force destroyed two bomb-making facilities and detained two suspects. The target of the operation was a Taliban facilitator involved in the movement of bombs, other weapons, and ammunition. He also is responsible for the manufacture of bombs used by insurgents.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition patrol discovered a large drug cache at a vehicle security checkpoint in Helmand province’s Dishu district. Nearly 2,000 pounds of opium was confiscated and destroyed.

-- In the Dand district of Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspect during a search for a Taliban facilitator. The facilitator conducts bomb attacks against Afghan security forces in the city of Kandahar.

ISAF Condemns Deadly IED Attack

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2011 – The International Security Assistance Force joined Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in condemning the improvised explosive device attack that killed 18 people today in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, military officials reported.

Initial reports indicate that a passenger bus detonated a roadside IED.

“The loss of innocent civilian life in this calculated attack is heart wrenching,” said Navy Rear Adm. Vic Beck, the ISAF’s director of public affairs. “Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims. We will work with our Afghan partners to bring those responsible to justice.”

In Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- An Afghan-led security force killed several insurgents and freed a local family that had been taken hostage during an operation in the Dilah wa Khoshamand district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The target of the operation was a Haqqani network leader who also supports the Taliban. While searching for the Haqqani leader, the security force was fired upon by several insurgents. One of the insurgents took some members of a local Afghan family hostage, while other insurgents continued to fire on the security force. The security force killed several insurgents and freed the family. The security force confiscated one machine gun, several AK-47 rifles, some rocket-propelled grenades, and blasting caps.

-- An Afghan-led security force detained one suspected Taliban member during a clearance operation in the Sayad district of Sar-e Pul province.

-- In the Dand district of Kandahar province, an Afghan-led security force detained a suspected insurgent facilitator. The facilitator acquires and moves roadside bomb material and weapons for insurgents in the area.

-- An Afghan-led security force killed a Taliban leader who attempted to attack them while disguised in a women’s burqa in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province. The leader was responsible for attacks against Afghan forces in the Charkh and Baraki Barak districts.

-- An Afghan-led security force captured a Haqqani network leader and several of his associates during an operation in the Sabari district of Khost province. The leader was involved in roadside bomb and other attacks against the Afghan army.

-- An Afghan-led security force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader in the Sabari district of Khost province. The Haqqani leader is responsible for roadside bomb and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A coalition patrol discovered a weapons cache in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. The cache contained four AK-47 rifles, nine AK-47 magazines, 320 7.62mm rounds, one machine gun, nine mines, eight 81mm mortar rounds, 85 pounds of explosives and components used to construct improvised explosive devices.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition patrol discovered a weapons cache during a five-day operation conducted in Kandahar and Helmand provinces. The cache contained two sniper rifles, ammunition, and 220 pounds of explosives.

-- In the Spin Boldag district of Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force seized a drug cache containing 452 pounds of hashish.

Forces Detain Haqqani Leader in Eastern Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Haqqani network leader during an overnight operation in eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The Afghan-led force located the leader in the Zurmat district of Paktiya province. He is believed responsible for a roadside bomb attack that killed three International Security Assistance Force service members yesterday. Several of the man’s associates also were detained at the compound in the district. The force detained the men, and safely destroyed several roadside bomb components, grenades and a chest rack in their possession.

The Haqqani network, which operates primarily in Khost, Paktiya and Paktika provinces, has been involved in several high-profile attacks in the capital city of Kabul. Combined Afghan and coalition security forces have captured more than 80 Haqqani leaders this year.

In other ISAF news from Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined force killed one insurgent and detained several others during an operation in the northern province of Sar-e Pul. With tips from residents, the Afghan-led force went to an area where a group of known insurgents were conducting Taliban activities. The force located one of the insurgents and called on him to surrender peacefully. The insurgent, armed with an AK-47 rifle, did not comply, and made a series of aggressive movements before being engaged and killed by the force. The force detained the remaining insurgents without incident.

-- In Kunduz, an Afghan-led force detained multiple suspected insurgents during a security search in the Archi district.

-- A combined force operating in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator known for smuggling weapons from Kandahar province and Pakistan to insurgents throughout Helmand.

-- In Helmand’s Panjwa’i district, an Afghan-led force detained a suspected insurgent during a search for a Taliban leader responsible for roadside bomb and direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Zabul province’s Qalat district, an Afghan-led force detained several people with suspected ties to the Taliban while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for roadside bombs in the area.

-- A combined security force detained multiple suspected insurgents and discovered 50 pounds of ammonium nitrate during a search for a Taliban leader in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province. The leader directs Taliban fighters in conducting attacks along Highway 1.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, an Afghan-led security force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader who commands an insurgent cell there. The force detained two additional suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani facilitator involved in large-scale movements of supplies for insurgents in the area.

-- In Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district, an Afghan-led force detained two suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who directs an insurgent cell to carry out bombing attacks in the district and is responsible for attacks against Afghan government officials.

Combined Security Forces Kill, Detain Several Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents and detained several others during an overnight security operation yesterday targeting an insurgent leader responsible for directing attacks against Afghan forces in the Sherzad district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, military officials reported.

The Afghan-led force encountered several armed insurgents and spotted insurgents taking up firing positions with assault rifles. Several insurgents were killed in the ensuing fight.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined force killed two insurgents during an operation in Sar-e Pul province’s Sar-e Pul district. After being notified of two insurgents conducting Taliban operations in the area, the Afghan-led force moved to detain them. One insurgent reached for a rifle, prompting the force to engage the armed men, killing both. The security force found several assault rifles, chest racks and loaded magazines while clearing the area.

-- In Paktika province, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents during a search for a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator in the Mata Khan district.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, a combined force detained numerous suspected insurgents while looking for a Haqqani leader responsible for coordinating and conducting attacks against the Afghan army.

-- A combined force captured a Haqqani facilitator and one of his associates in Khost province’s Sabari district. The facilitator was responsible for moving fighters and weapons.

-- In Kandahar province’s Zharay district, a combined force killed an insurgent and detained several others. The combined force found the insurgents inside a compound, and with assistance from close air support, engaged them, killing one.

-- In Helmand province’s Washer district, a combined force seized 220 pounds of opium and detained two insurgents.

-- A coalition force seized 37 40 mm grenades, 97 hand grenades and 89 fuses in the Bamyan province’s Kahmard district.

In operations July 3:

-- A combined force killed more than 15 insurgents in Nangarhar province’s Sherzad district. The operation’s goal was to seize an insurgent weapons cache and to disrupt the flow of insurgent fighters and weapons across western Nangarhar, officials said. During a search, the Afghan-led force encountered multiple groups of armed insurgents who opened fire when the force tried to detain them peacefully. The force responded, killing more than 15 insurgents. Later, the force found multiple fortified fighting positions and seized a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, several machine guns, grenades, assault rifles and chest racks.

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in Balkh province’s Chahar Bolak district. The leader conducted roadside-bomb and small-arms attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- In Kunduz province’s Archi district, an Afghan-led combined force detained several people with suspected Taliban ties. The operation targeted a Taliban commander who leads a bomb-attack network in the district.

-- During clearing operations in Kandahar province’s Zharay district, a combined force killed several insurgents and detained two others.

-- A combined patrol detained a suspected insurgent leader in Uruzgan province’s Tarin Kot district. The suspected leader was detained for allegedly building and distributing homemade bombs. Afghan authorities detained several others for further questioning.

-- A combined force detained a suspected insurgent during a search for a Taliban leader in Zabul province’s Qalat district. The facilitator planted roadside bombs, coordinated fighters’ movements and levied illegal taxes against Afghan civilians for the Taliban.

-- In Helmand province’s Marja district, a combined force detained several people with suspected ties to the Taliban and found 100 pounds of opium while looking for a Taliban leader who directs an attack cell in the area. His cell is responsible for multiple roadside-bomb attacks and solicits narcotics, heavy machine guns and rockets.

-- In Helmand province’s Kajaki district, an Afghan-led combined force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for the senior Taliban military leader operating in the province’s Sangin district.

-- A combined force captured a Haqqani leader and two suspected insurgents in Paktika province’s Mata Khan district. The leader was responsible for conducting, coordinating and directing roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, an Afghan-led combined force captured a Haqqani leader and two suspected insurgents. The leader participated in attacks against the Afghan army and provided training for indirect-fire attacks.

In operations July 2:

-- A combined force killed several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in Kunduz province’s Archi district. The leader directs attacks against Afghan government officials and security forces. During the search, the force pursued several armed insurgents. The insurgents engaged the force, resulting in several insurgents being killed. The force found a grenade launcher and several grenades.

-- In Kandahar province’s Panjwai district, a security force captured a Taliban bomb-maker and one of his associates.

-- An Afghan-led combined force captured a Taliban facilitator in Kandahar province’s Dand district. He was responsible for purchasing and delivering weapons and ammunition in Kandahar City.

-- In Helmand province’s Now Zad district, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for the Taliban’s governing official for operations in the Washer district.

-- In Nangarhar province’s Sherzad district, a combined force killed an insurgent and detained a suspected insurgent while searching for the Taliban’s governing official for operations in western Nangarhar. The Afghan-led force saw several armed insurgents fleeing the area, and an engagement followed when the force tried to stop them. The force found about 70 pounds of explosives.

-- A combined force in Logar province’s Baraki Barak district, detained a man with suspected Taliban ties while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for several attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, a combined force captured a Haqqani network leader and two associates. The leader facilitated suicide bombers and stored weapons and explosives at his home.

-- Also in Khost’s Sabari district, an Afghan-led combined force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani facilitator responsible for building, moving and planting roadside bombs.

-- A combined force detained two suspected insurgents in Ghazni province’s Ghazni district during a search for a Taliban leader responsible for attacks against Afghan forces.

-- In Herat province’s Shindand district, a coalition patrol seized 23 rocket boosters, an 80 mm rocket warhead, three rockets, seven launch charges, 20 grenades, other munitions and 2 pounds of TNT.

In operations July 1:

-- A combined force killed several insurgents and detained a suspected insurgent in Balkh province’s Balkh district while searching for the Taliban’s district chief. Insurgents armed with assault rifles attacked the Afghan-led force. The force returned fire, killing several insurgents, and detained a man with suspected insurgent ties.

-- In Kunduz province’s Chahar Darah district, a combined force killed an insurgent and captured a leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist organization. The combined force killed the insurgent after making numerous attempts to apprehend him peacefully.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and one of his associates in Zabul province’s Qalat district.

-- In Kandahar province’s Dand district, a combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and two associates.

-- -In Kandahar province’s Panjwai district, an Afghan-led combined force captured a Taliban leader and two suspected insurgents. The leader was responsible for planning and executing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Zharay and Panjwai districts.

-- In Helmand province’s Sangin district, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator who coordinates movements of materials for insurgents in the area.

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents in Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for directing and facilitating roadside-bomb attacks and suicide bombers.

-- A coalition airstrike killed several insurgents in Ghazni province’s Qarah Bagh district after they were observed planting roadside bombs along a major highway.

-- In Paktika province’s Sarobi district, a combined force captured a Haqqani leader and two of his associates. The leader conducted reconnaissance operations targeting Afghan and coalition forces, providing information to Haqqani leaders in Pakistan.

-- An Afghan-led combined force in Khost province detained two suspected insurgents during a search for a Haqqani facilitator. The man acquires bomb materials and weapons and coordinates their transfer to fighters in the area.

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents, including one man who was disguised in women’s clothing, during a search for a Taliban leader in Ghazni province’s Ghazni district. The leader directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Insurgents

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 24, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and detained several suspects yesterday while searching for a Taliban leader in the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province, military officials reported.

The sought-after insurgent leader is the Taliban-appointed governing official in Balkh province. He organized attacks against Afghan security forces and coordinated roadside bomb acquisitions, construction and emplacement.

The Afghan-led force noticed several individuals attempting to evade. The force moved to detain two insurgents who’d fled to a cave. The force unsuccessfully called for the men to come out peacefully. After observing the men move into a hostile position, the two men were engaged and killed.

The force also detained several individuals with suspected ties to the Taliban. No women or children were harmed during the operation.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects during a security operation in the Archi district of Kunduz province. The target of the search was a Taliban leader who directs a roadside bomb and suicide attack network.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban organizer in the Dand district of Kandahar province. The detainee transported weapons and coordinated attacks in the Kandahar City area.

-- Also in Kandahar, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban organizer during an overnight security operation in Zharay district. The facilitator is linked to the production and facilitation of roadside bombs in the Zharay and Panjwa’i districts.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Zabul province. The leader is linked to roadside bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces along Highway 1 in the Qalat and Shah Joy districts.

-- Also in Zabul, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained a Taliban leader and several suspects in the Qalat district. The leader was responsible for several roadside bomb and direct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also built bombs, coordinated attacks, and collected money for Taliban commanders in the area.

-- In Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured a senior Taliban leader and detained several suspects during a nighttime search operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district. The leader was associated with the Taliban military commission and he worked detainee releases for associated insurgents.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained five suspects during a security operation targeting a senior al-Qaida organizer in the Gelan district of Ghazni province. The organizer, who typically operates in Pakistan, helped to plan terrorist operations and the movement of fighters, money and materials into Afghanistan and Pakistan.

-- During a separate search in the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained one suspect while searching for a Haqqani network facilitator. The targeted facilitator participates in direct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and he plays a role in the movement of equipment from Pakistan to insurgents in the district. The security force also discovered several grenades, roadside-bomb pressure plates, bomb initiators, detonation cord and multiple rounds of ammunition.

Afghan, Coalition Troops Nab Insurgent Leaders

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force yesterday captured a Haqqani network leader, a Haqqani facilitator and several of their associates during an overnight clearing operation in the Bermal district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, military officials reported.

The Afghan-led operation targeted several Haqqani leaders in Pir Koti valley. The focus of the operation was to eliminate potential Haqqani safe house and disrupt the training and movement of fighters.

In other operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several individuals with suspected ties to the Taliban during an overnight security operation in the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province. The Afghan-led security force was searching for a Taliban leader who plans and executes attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator and two of his associates during an operation in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. The facilitator was responsible for production and movement of explosive devices and components into the Zharay and Panjwa’i districts. Additionally, he was known to have direct involvement in the narcotics trade throughout the province.

-- In Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The facilitator is responsible for moving narcotics, weapons and money within the northern Helmand Taliban network.

-- During a security operation in the Tarnak wa Jaldak district of Zabul province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained one individual with suspected ties to Taliban activity.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force killed more than five insurgents and detained two suspects during an overnight security operation targeting a Taliban leader in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province. During a search, the force found a RPG launcher with several warheads, a high powered machine gun, multiple AK-47 rifles and several chest racks. The security force detained two suspects for questioning.

-- Also in Sayyidabad, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader. The targeted leader is the Taliban-appointed provincial military chief for Wardak province. He coordinates kidnappings of Afghan government officials and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents and detained several suspects during a security operation targeting a Taliban leader in the Khwajah ‘Omari district of Ghazni province. The targeted leader is a guerrilla warfare tactician who commands many fighters for attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Haqqani network facilitator and several suspected insurgents during an overnight security operation in the Sabari district of Khost province. The facilitator was responsible for emplacing and coordinating the use of explosives targeting the Afghan National Army. The security force confiscated two rifles during a search.

-- Also in Sabari, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects while searching for a Haqqani network leader during a security operation. The leader conducts homemade bomb attacks, including a recent attack in Sabari.

-- In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a drug cache during a security operation. The cache consisted of 22 pounds of opium and 331 pounds of hashish. The drugs were safely destroyed by security forces.

-- A coalition force discovered a weapons cache in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The cache consisted of two 107 mm grenades, one mortar round, two bandoliers, one mortar, one full AK-47 rifle magazine, ammonium nitrate and several components for improvised explosive devices.

In June 4 operations:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force patrol engaged several insurgents June 4 during a security operation in the Kajaki district of Helmand province. Several insurgents were killed when they engaged the patrol with small-arms fire.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force patrol discovered a weapons cache during a security operation targeting a suicide attack planner in Kabul. The operation secured a suicide vest, three grenades, three detonators and 154 pounds of homemade explosives. The explosives were safely destroyed on site. One man was detained by Afghan authorities for questioning.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition patrol discovered an enemy explosives cache during an operation in the Gelan district of Ghazni province. The operation secured 44 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 14 82 mm mortar rounds, TNT, 30 12 mm rounds and one pistol. The explosives were safely destroyed on site.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition operation targeted a suicide improvised explosive device cell in Kabul. One man was detained. A suicide vest, 40 pounds of ammonium nitrate and four AK-47 rifles were confiscated. The explosives and weapons were safely destroyed on site and the detainee was taken by Afghan authorities for questioning.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader and detained several of his associates during a security operation in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The targeted leader was part of a significant attack network and commanded 20-25 fighters in Wali Mohammed Ogrtepa village in Kunduz district. He and the Kunduz attack network are directly involved in roadside bomb and suicide attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan National Security Forces.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents during a security operation in the Chahar Bolak district of Balkh province. The Afghan-led security force was in the district searching for a Taliban leader responsible for planning attacks in the district.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several individuals with suspected ties to Taliban activity during an operation in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Zabul province.

-- In Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in the Nad ‘Ali district. The leader is responsible for approximately 15 to 20 fighters who conduct direct fire and ambush attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also involved with the kidnapping and intimidation of local nationals in the district.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during a nighttime security operation targeting a Taliban leader in Kandahar City, Kandahar province. The leader coordinates and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinates with a prominent facilitator who supplies his network with weapons and fighters.

-- In the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, a coalition patrol discovered a weapons cache during a security operation. The cache consisted of 50 12.7 mm rounds, two artillery shells rigged with wires, 40 machine-gun rounds, two pressure plates, 44 pounds of homemade explosives, one 152 mm artillery shell and mine rigged together, and one 107 mm rocket.

-- Also in Helmand, a combined Afghan and coalition force patrol operating in the Garm Ser district discovered a weapons cache. The cache contained five hand-held two-way radios, five battery packs, two remote controls, ball bearings, four fuses and five 110-pound bags of fertilizer. One individual was detained.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several insurgents during an operation in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province. The Afghan-led force conducted the operation to disrupt Taliban activity along a key facilitation route for insurgent organizations carrying out attacks in Kabul.

-- In Paktika province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained two individuals with links to the Haqqani network during a security operation in Orgun district.

-- In the Sabari the district of Khost province, an Afghan-led force detained two individuals while searching for a Haqqani leader. The leader is responsible for coordinating and conducting attacks against the Afghan army.

-- A coalition force patrol detained an individual in procession of multiple weapons and explosive components during a security operation in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province. Material that was confiscated included seven mines, 15 hand-grenades, 15 grenades fuses, five explosive detonators, three blasting caps, three 82 mm recoilless rifle rounds and 1,000 feet of detonation cord.

Officials Confirm Capture of Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the capture of the suspected senior Taliban leader for Afghanistan’s Helmand province and his predecessor during a May 14 operation in the province’s Babaji district.

One of the men is accused of being the head of Helmand’s Taliban provincial commission until the second man recently returned from Pakistan and assumed the role, officials said. Both are suspected members of the Quetta Shura.

Both men reportedly ordered the intimidation of the local population and were in charge of the insurgent justice system in that area, military officials said. The senior leader also managed military appointments and the supply of weapons and ammunition to conduct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Both men surrendered and were detained along with several other suspected insurgents with ties to insurgent activities, officials added.

In operations around Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force conducted an operation resulting in the detention of two suspected insurgents and the death of an Afghan civilian in Helmand province’s Musa Qalah district. The security force was searching for a Taliban facilitator and noticed a man fleeing the area. They pursued him to a nearby wood line, and an Afghan member of the force called for him to come out. He began to move directly toward the security force with an object in his hand despite instructions and warnings relayed in multiple ethnic languages, and he raised the object. Perceiving a threat the security force killed him. It was later discovered the object in the man’s hand was a flashlight.

-- In Sar-e-Pul province’s Sayad district, a combined Afghan force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for the acting Taliban governing official of Jowzjan province.

-- A combined force in Helmand’s Kajaki district killed two insurgents who tried to engage them. The combined force found and destroyed 353 pounds of opium and 132 pounds of other narcotics.

-- In Zabul province’s Qalat district, a combined force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation targeting key leaders of a Taliban roadside-bomb cell.

-- Also in Helmand province, separate combined patrols found weapons caches in the Marja and Sangin districts. The weapons included an 82 mm mortar round, 21 recoilless rifle rounds, six anti-personnel mines, two 105 mm smoke shells, a 107 mm warhead, a 130 mm high-explosive artillery shell, three communication radios and four full assault-rifle magazines.

-- A combined force captured a Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin terrorist network facilitator in Khost province’s Sabari district.

-- In an intelligence-driven operation in Logar province’s Baraki Barak district, a combined force detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Taliban.

-- A combined force in Nangarhar province’s Khugyani district detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Taliban leader.

-- Afghan civilians in Bamyan province’s Kahmard district led Afghan and coalition forces to a weapons cache consisting of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine-gun ammunition, 23 hand-grenades and 21 rocket-propelled grenades. The security force destroyed the weapons and ammunition.