NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR APRIL 5, 2013

A U.S. Marine Special Operations Team member uses a bulldozer to level off the build site for a local police checkpoint in Afghanistan's Helmand province, March 30, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

 FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force in Helmand Arrests Taliban Leader
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 5, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban leader and detained another insurgent in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The leader is accused of commanding a cell of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He allegedly provides weapons for insurgents and is believed to be heavily involved in improvised explosive device operations, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Nangarhar province's Khugyani district detained an insurgent during a search for a Taliban facilitator who provides logistical support to Taliban senior leaders throughout western Nangarhar. He allegedly has organized the purchase, transfer and delivery of weapons and has sold rockets used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Khost province's Sabari district, a combined force detained two insurgents during a search for a Haqqani network leader who controls fighters responsible for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. He also is accused of facilitating the movement of weapons and significant amounts of money for insurgency operations.

Yesterday in Jowzjan province's Shibirghan district, a combined force arrested a Taliban facilitator and detained several other insurgents. The facilitator allegedly has procured weapons for the insurgency, including IEDs, machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols, rocket-propelled grenades, fragmentary grenades, ammunition and magazines.

In other news, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed that Taliban facilitator Mullah Zakir Akhund was killed during an April 3 operation in Jowzjan's Shibirghan district.

Akhund was responsible for providing financial aid to insurgents in several provinces, collecting taxes for the Taliban, overseeing a network of Taliban tax collectors and coordinating financial matters with other leaders. He also was involved in providing weapons for use against Afghan and coalition forces.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JANUARY14, 2013

An Afghan man passes members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah on their way to the site of a leadership meeting in Farah City, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader in Nangarhar Province
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed Taliban leader Haqiq in the Sherzad district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.

After positively identifying a threat from armed insurgents, the combined force engaged, killing Haqiq and two additional insurgents.

Haqiq, also known as Sur Gul Lala, conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and extorted money from district villagers to fund Taliban activities. The security force also detained three suspected insurgents and seized a cache of weapons, gear and ammunition. No civilians were harmed during the operation, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Baghlan province's Baghlan-e Jadid district arrested a Taliban senior leader and another insurgent. The senior leader commanded insurgents operating in Jowzjan and Sar-e Pul provinces and was responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and Afghan civilians.

-- A combined force detained three insurgents in Kandahar province's Daman district during a search for a Taliban leader who oversees the acquisition and transfer of weapons and ammunition to insurgents. The security force also seized a large cache of ammunition.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Helmand province's Nad-e Ali district arrested a Taliban leader who transported and planted roadside bombs and armed insurgent fighters in the district. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

-- In Baghlan province's Baghlan-e Jadid district, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who controls fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained two suspected insurgents in Nangarhar province's Khugyani district during a search for a Taliban leader who provides weapons to Taliban fighters. The security force seized bomb-making materials, weapons and ammunition.