FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader, Detains Insurgents
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News ReleaseKABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2012 - In the Muqer district of Ghazni province today, a combined force searched for, engaged and killed Taliban leader Jihadmal, military officials reported.
Jihadmal had planned, coordinated and led multiple attacks in the region against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.
The combined force also detained two suspected insurgents during the operation, officials said.
In other news today:
-- A combined force arrested two suspects during a search for a Taliban weapons distributer in the Washer district of Helmand province.
-- Afghan and coalition officials confirmed Taliban leader Ahmad Shah was killed Aug. 14 by a precision airstrike in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province. Shah provided heavy weapons and bomb-making materials to insurgents operating in the region. He also coordinated and directed insurgent attacks, frequently using improvised explosive devices to attack security forces.
In operations yesterday:
-- A combined force airstrike killed multiple insurgents in the Nizam-e Shahid district of Herat province. The deceased insurgents belonged to an insurgent cell controlled by Abdulla Akbari, and were planning a large-scale attack against Afghan government officials and Afghan security forces in Herat. Akbari is responsible for directing IED attacks throughout the province and rocket attacks against Herat Airfield.
-- A combined force airstrike killed multiple insurgents, including Mullah Anwar, a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, while the security force also detained two suspects and seized weapons and explosives in the Ishkamish district of Takhar province. Anwar was the senior IMU military leader in the Burkah district of Baghlan province, and was involved in the Aug. 13 assassination of the Ishkamish district mayor.
