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| As seen through a night-vision device, U.S. Marine Sgt. Ryan Burks points at an objective during a mission rehearsal on Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 27, 2013. Burks, a squad leader, is assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kowshon Ye |
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Arrests Haqqani Leader
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader and three other insurgents during an operation in the Matun district of Afghanistan's Khost province today, military officials reported.
At the time of his arrest, the Haqqani leader and his associates were planning to conduct a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack in Khost province, officials said.
The security force also seized one AK-47 rifle, one pistol, magazines and some ammunition as a result of the operation, officials said.
In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- A combined force killed two extremists during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The sought-after insurgent leader is the ranking Taliban official in the Nahr-e Saraj district. He has been a significant figure in the local Taliban network for years, and has control of a group of more than 200 insurgents responsible for a significant number of attacks involving small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, IEDs and suicide bombers against Afghan and coalition forces. He also runs an unlawful court system in Nahr-e Saraj that illegally punishes Afghan civilians for running afoul of the Taliban.
-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktiya province. The leader maintains operational control over a group of extremists responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also serves as a financier for local extremist groups, oversees IED operations in the region, and performs intelligence and reconnaissance operations.
In operations yesterday:
-- A combined force killed two extremists during a search for a Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The sought-after Taliban leader is responsible for directing IED, indirect-fire and direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also interfaces with senior Taliban leaders, trains subordinate fighters on IED operations, and facilitates the movement of weapons and military equipment in the local area.
-- Afghan National Army Special Forces Commandos of 1st Company, 4th Special Operations Kandak, and coalition forces recovered and destroyed 998 pounds of ammonium nitrate and detained an insurgent on the border of Farah and Nimruz provinces.
-- Members of the 8th Special Operations Kandak, Afghan Local Police, Afghan Uniformed Police, and coalition forces killed two insurgents and neutralized six IEDs in the Mya Neshin district of Kandahar province. The joint forces conducted the clearing operation in Seyed Usan village with a multi-purpose canine, who discovered all six IEDs.
