NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR MARCH 29, 2013

Doc, a dog trained to detect improvised explosive devices, retrieves a bumper during a training session on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, March 19, 2013. Doc is assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tammy K. Hineline

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

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 29, 2013 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban leader and detained one other insurgent during an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The arrested Taliban leader is believed to have exercised operational control over multiple insurgent cells throughout Helmand province, officials said. Under his leadership, insurgents committed multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also believed to be heavily involved in the acquisition and distribution of weapons to insurgent forces, and reportedly owns multiple poppy farms used in the production of illegal narcotics.

Also today, a combined force detained two insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Dand district of Kandahar province. The sought-after Taliban leader has command-and-control responsibilities over a number of fighters dedicated to attacking Afghan and coalition forces. He also has extensive experience with improvised explosive devices, and plays a role in weapon transportation and distribution throughout Kandahar province.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force killed numerous insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Chimtal district of Balkh province. The sought-after Taliban leader is said to be the second-highest Taliban official in the Chimtal district, responsible for directing multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is believed to be the district's chief financier for the insurgency, funneling money to fighters for use in illegal arms purchases. During the operation the security force also seized six motorcycles, two rocket-propelled-grenade launchers with 12 rounds, multiple light machine guns and four drums of ammunition.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force killed an insurgent during a search for a Haqqani leader. The sought-after Haqqani leader is responsible for acquiring and distributing weapons to his fellow insurgents and has personally led his subordinates in multiple rocket-propelled-grenade attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JANUARY 25, 2013

Photo:  Refueling Over Afghanistan. Credit:  U.S. Air Force.

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


KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 25, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader during an operation in the Hahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The arrested Taliban leader coordinated and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and provided weapons and improvised explosive devices to other insurgents, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In Helmand's Nawah-ye Barakzai district, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader who oversaw insurgents responsible for IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also procured and distributed homemade explosives and IED-making materials.

-- A combined force in Khost province's Khost district arrested a Haqqani network leader who distributed weapons to Haqqani insurgents and planned and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent and seized weapons and ammunition.

-- In Nangarhar province's Khugyani district, a combined force detained three suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator who coordinates IED and suicide-bomber attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces. The security force seized IED components, weapons and ammunition.

In operations yesterday:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed a Taliban leader associated with al-Qaida in the Dangam district of Afghanistan's Kunar province. The Taliban leader coordinated activities between the Taliban and al-Qaida in the province and organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also oversaw the movement of weapons and suicide-vest components.

-- A combined force in Kandahar province's Spin Boldak district arrested a Taliban IED expert who also helped to acquire explosives, weapons and ammunition for attacks against Afghan government security offices. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent.

-- In Ghazni province's Andar district, a combined force killed a Taliban leader who oversaw insurgents responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR DECEMBER 31, 2012

Loading Supplies.  U.S. Army Photo By Staff Sgt. Brendan Makie

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases


WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other suspected insurgent during an operation in the Nad 'Ali district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The arrested Taliban leader planned and coordinated improvised explosive device attacks and ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani leader in the Pul-e 'Alam district of Logar province. The arrested Haqqani leader coordinated IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also facilitated the distribution of weapons, IEDs and suicide vests to insurgents.

-- A combined force arrested two suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Andar district of Ghazni province. The sought-after Taliban leader commands a large number of insurgents and directs IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force killed several armed insurgents in the Ghaziabad district of Kunar province.

-- In the Pul-e 'Alam district of Logar province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani facilitator, detained one other suspect and seized some Afghan National Army uniforms. The arrested Haqqani facilitator supplied weapons and IED-making materials to insurgents. He is also linked to rocket, IED and direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

And in a Dec. 29 operation, a combined force arrested two local Taliban leaders and detained one other suspect in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. The arrested Taliban leaders provided IED-making materials to insurgents and conducted attacks in the district.

ISAF REPORT FROM AFGHANISTAN

Photo Credit:  U.S. Department of Defense.
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Combined Force Detains Taliban Leader
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader in the Panjwa'i district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The Taliban leader directed attacks throughout northern Kandahar, in addition to supplying weapons and explosives to other insurgents operating in the region, officials said.

Officials said the security force also detained two suspected insurgents during the operation.

In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- In the Ghazni district of Ghazni province, a combined force apprehended a Taliban improvised explosive device specialist, killed one insurgent, detained two suspects and seized multiple firearms, grenades and explosives. The detained IED expert coordinated and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.
-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Maidan Shahr district of Wardak province. The leader coordinates insurgent activity, transports weapons, and facilitates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
In July 1 Afghanistan operations:

-- In the Deh Rawud district of Uruzgan province, a combined force discovered a drug cache containing 33,660 pounds of hashish and detained three suspects. The drugs were destroyed.

-- A combined force-requested airstrike killed numerous insurgents during a search for an al-Qaida leader in the Watahpur district of Kunar province. The al-Qaida leader trains other insurgents operating in Kunar, Nuristan and Laghman provinces. No civilians were harmed and no civilian property was damaged during the operation.
-- In Paktika province's Yosuf Khel district, a combined force responded when an insurgent self-detonated an improvised explosive, killing himself in the process. Coalition forces detained one suspect.

-- A combined force killed nine insurgents during a firefight in Paktika province's Bermal district.
-- An insurgent self-detonated an improvised explosive, killing himself in the process, in Nagarhar province's Rodat district.
-- A combined force detained one suspect in Logar province's Charkh district.
-- A combined force killed nine insurgents during a firefight in Kunar province's Watahpu district.
-- A combined force detained two suspects in Khowst province's Bak district.
-- A combined force detained a Haqqani leader, killed one insurgent, captured two other insurgents and seized multiple grenades and an AK-47 rifle in the Nerkh district of Wardak province.
-- A combined force killed several insurgents during a firefight in the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province.

-- In the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province, a combined force detained multiple suspects and seized several weapons during a search for a senior Taliban leader. The Taliban leader controls insurgents in the Nawah-ye Barakzai, Washer and Nad 'Ali districts.
-- A combined force detained a Taliban weapons specialist as well as two other suspects and seized explosives in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province.
In June 30 operations:

-- In the Ahmadabad district of Paktiya province, a combined force-requested airstrike killed numerous insurgents during a search for a Haqqani leader. The airstrike caused no civilian injuries or property damage.

-- A combined force detained three insurgents in Paktiya province's Jaji Maidan district.
-- A combined force detained three insurgents in Paktiya province's Yousef Khel district.
-- A combined force detained one insurgent in Khowst province's Khowst district.
-- A combined force detained six insurgents in Ghazni province's Muqer district.

MORE DRUGS INTERCEPTED IN AFGHANISTAN

Photo:  Marijuana Field.  Credit:  Wikimedia. 

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Afghan, Coalition Force Detains Taliban Facilitator

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2012 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban facilitator in the Zharay district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The facilitator supplied insurgents in the district with weapons, ammunition and equipment for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops and coordinated suicide bombings and indirect-fire attacks against Afghan police compounds and checkpoints throughout Zharay, officials said.

The security force also detained two other insurgents and found 11 pounds of illegal narcotics.

In Kandahar's Panjwai district yesterday, a combined security force found and destroyed about 1,500 pounds of hashish.

An Afghan-led security force supported by coalition troops captured a senior Taliban leader and two other insurgents in Kandahar's Dand district May 19. The leader, who operates in Helmand province's Lashkar Gah district, tried to control the local population through murder and intimidation and is suspected in coordinating the assassination of a government official in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

In May 18 operations:

-- A combined security force detained several insurgents, seized and destroyed explosives and weapons and destroyed an opium field in Baghlan province's Baghlan-e-Jidid district.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force detained several insurgents while searching for a senior Taliban leader in Helmand's Nad-e Ali district. The leader, an explosives expert, directs attacks in the Nad-e Ali and Lashkar Gah districts and coordinates with other Taliban leaders to supply weapons, ammunition, equipment and explosives to subordinates.

-- In Kandahar's Panjwai district, a combined security force found and destroyed about 300 pounds of hashish, and a combined security force in Kandahar's Zharay district found and destroyed 220 pounds of hashish.In other news, a combined security force captured a senior Taliban leader and two other insurgents in Kunduz province's Aliabad district May 16. The leader was the Taliban liaison for the Peshawar Shura, a group responsible for insurgent activity in eastern and northern Afghanistan. He also served as a facilitator for the Nuristan Taliban shadow governor and organized the transportation of weapons, foreign fighters and suicide bombers for attacks throughout the region.