NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR MARCH 11, 2013

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel tours a classroom of Afghan soldiers with Afghan Brig. Gen. Aminullah Patyani, commander of the Kabul Military Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 10, 2013. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
　

 NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN
Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Helmand Province
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained another insurgent in the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The leader is accused of coordinating ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces and is believed to have a history of directing attacks using improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons.

The security force also seized a stockpile of IED components.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Kandahar province's Arghandab district arrested a Taliban leader believed to be an IED specialist with a cell of fighters under his command. He also has a significant history of procuring IED components, building IEDs and distributing them to his subordinates for use against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained another insurgent and seized 20 pounds of heroin.

-- In Logar province's Baraki Barak district, a combined force detained an insurgent during a search for a Taliban leader alleged to be responsible for directing insurgent activity. He also is influential in the Taliban network there, ordering IED operations and other attacks.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Paktia province's Gardez district arrested a Haqqani network facilitator accused of procuring and distributing lethal aid to extremist fighters. He also is believed to have planned attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also arrested another insurgent and seized ammunition, an assault rifle and a grenade.

-- In Kandahar province's Panjwai district, a combined force arrested nine insurgents during a search for a Taliban commander accused of building IEDs and coordinating their use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is believed to have operational control over a cell of Taliban fighters and maintained a sophisticated operations center used to plan insurgent activity.

-- A combined force killed three insurgents in Helmand province's Nahr-e Saraj district after observing them conducting insurgent activity.

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR AUGUST 28, 2012

Photo Credit:  U.S. Air Force

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Helicopter Makes Forced Landing in Eastern Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2012 - An International Security Assistance Force helicopter made a forced landing in eastern Afghanistan today, military officials reported.
There were no reported fatalities, and the site of the incident is secure, officials said. Initial reporting indicates that there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.
ISAF officials are assessing the circumstances to determine more facts.
In Afghanistan operations today:
-- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani network leader and three suspected insurgents during an operation in the Zurmat district of Paktia province. The Haqqani insurgent -- an improvised explosive device specialist -- is responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, including recent attacks against Afghan forces in Zurmat.

-- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader and one other suspect in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The Taliban leader planned and directed IED attacks and had acquired suicide vests for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained multiple suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Zharay and Panjwai districts.

-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani weapons supplier and one suspected insurgent during an operation in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. The weapons supplier acquired weapons and IEDs for Haqqani fighters throughout the province. In the days leading to his arrest, the weapons supplier provided funds, weapons and equipment to Haqqani fighters for an upcoming attack.

In an Aug. 26 operation in the Khoshi district of Logar province, a coalition force found and destroyed 136 mortar rounds and 23 rockets.