NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Photo: U.S. Department of Defense.

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Kills 2 Insurgents, Seizes HeroinCompiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and seized several pounds of heroin during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

As the security force approached the Taliban leader's suspected location, an armed group of insurgents displayed hostile intent toward the Afghan and coalition troops, officials said. The security force identified the lethal threat and engaged, killing two insurgents.

The security force also detained four suspected insurgents and seized a firearm as a result of the operation, officials said.

Officials said no civilians were harmed during the operation.

In other operations today:

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained some suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader is suspected of being a specialist in the use of improvised explosive devices and is linked to IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained some suspects and seized firearms and ammunition during an operation to arrest a Haqqani leader in the Khost district of Khost province. The Haqqani leader is linked to IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force arrested a senior Taliban weapons dealer, killed an armed insurgent, detained two suspects and seized firearms in the Talah wa Barfak district of Baghlan province. The detained weapons dealer was a senior Taliban leader in the district's insurgent network and arranged the purchase and distribution of rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and explosives.

-- Afghan special police detained two suspects and recovered a machine gun, ammunition and two chest rigs in the Narhin district of Baghlan province.

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents, including the leader of a Taliban attack cell, during a precision airstrike in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force arrested a Taliban IED expert and four other suspects in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province.

-- In the same district, a combined force detained a suspect during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader.

-- Afghan Special Police and coalition forces seized IED-making materials, a motorcycle intended for use in a suicide IED attack, a machine gun, grenades and ammunition in the Shinkai district of Zabul province.

-- A combined force detained four suspects and seized several firearms and IED-making components during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Waghaz district of Ghazni province. The Taliban leader is believed to be responsible for IED attacks and suicide operations throughout the Waghaz district, as well as commanding dozens of insurgent fighters.

In Sept. 22 operations:

-- Recruits under supervision of Afghan Local Police and coalition forces killed a number of enemy insurgents in Shaghowlay village, located in the Qara Bagh district. The police recruits and coalition forces were fired upon while conducting a patrol through the village. After repelling the attack, the Afghan police met with a local religious leader, who indicated the Taliban had been using a local mosque as a staging area for attacks. Upon inspection, the police found two rocket-propelled grenades and a motorcycle near the mosque. An additional search yielded two assault rifles, a machine gun, two grenades and loose ammunition. There were no civilian causalities during the engagement.

-- Afghan Special Police and coalition forces recovered weapons and narcotics in separate operations in Nimroz province. The first operation, in the Zaranji district, resulted in the seizure of 1,250 pounds of dry opium and ammonium nitrate, a banned fertilizer insurgents use to make explosives. In the Chakhansr district, an Afghan-led force recovered 1,234 pounds of opium, 230 pounds of heroin and a machine gun. The combined force also detained two people suspected of moving weapons and narcotics across southern Afghanistan. All of the drugs were destroyed.

-- In the Gardez district of Paktia province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network weapons dealer, detained other suspects, seized weapons accessories and confiscated counterfeit IDs.

-- A combined force in the Gelan district of Ghazni province arrested a Taliban intelligence facilitator suspected of gathering information on Afghan and coalition operations and providing it to Taliban leaders for planning and conducting insurgent attacks.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN AUGUST 3, 2012

Photo:  U.S. Navy

FROM:  DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Financier

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban financier in the Zurmat district of Afghanistan's Paktiya province today, military officials reported.

The financier extorted money and supplies from local villagers to fund Taliban operations, officials said. He also directed improvised explosive device attacks throughout the district.

Officials said the security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized several firearms.

In other operations today:

-- A combined force detained two suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Chimtal district of Balkh province. The sought-after Taliban leader is responsible for conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Jani Khel district of Paktiya province, a combined force-directed airstrike killed several insurgents conducted an operation to find a group of armed insurgents. The airstrike did not injure any civilians or damage civilian property.

In Aug. 2 operations:

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Ghazni province's Qarah Bagh district.

-- In Ghazni province's Sayyidabad district, a combined force discovered a weapons cache containing IED-making materials.

-- A combined force found and cleared five IEDs in Khowst province's Sabari district.

-- In Khowst province, a combined force detained six insurgents in the Khowst district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Logar province's Pul-E Alam district.

-- A combined force detained five insurgents who were emplacing an IED in Logar province's Muhammad Aghah district.

-- In Nangarhar province, a combined force found and cleared one IED in the Bati Kot district and another in the Kuz Kunar district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Paktika province's Sar Rowzah district.

-- In Paktiya province's Jani Khel district, a coalition airstrike killed eight insurgents and wounded two others who were emplacing IEDs. The wounded insurgents received medical care and were transferred to a base for questioning.

-- A combined force found and cleared two IEDs in Wardak province's Sayyidabad district.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN JULY 24, 2012

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Afghans children look on as U.S. Army Pfc. Loren Gaboni and other soldiers interact with the village leaders during a joint combined patrol with Afghan police in Baghoulmast village, Afghanistan, April 29, 2011. Gaboni is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Peter Lee 　　

Combined Force Detains 2 Suspected InsurgentsCompiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Afghanistan's Logar province today, military officials reported.

The sought-after Taliban leader transports insurgents throughout the region and directs improvised explosive device and direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district, officials said.

Also in Logar today, a combined force detained several suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban financier in the Muhammad Aghah district. The Taliban financier provides money and explosives to insurgents for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the region.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force killed Khadim, also known as Qari Hamza, an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan senior leader, in the Chahar Darah district of Kunduz province. Khadim was an explosives expert responsible for recruiting and training insurgents for suicide attacks. He also planned and led attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

-- A combined force found and cleared two IEDs in Ghazni province's Ab Band district.

-- A combined force discovered a weapons cache containing homemade explosives and other items used to make IEDs in the Sarobi district of Kapisa province.

-- In Khost province's Sabari district, a combined force detained one insurgent and one other suspect.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Laghman province's Mehtar Lam district.

-- In Logar province's Pul-e Alam district, a combined force discovered an insurgent cache containing military personnel items.

-- A combined force found and cleared two IEDs in Nangarhar province -- one in the Jalalabad district and another in the Bati Kot district.

ISAF JOINT COMMAND NEWS RELEASE JUNE 27, 2012

Photo:  Blackhawk Helicopter Flying Over Afghanistan.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force. 

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Force Detains Taliban Weapons Facilitator

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban weapons facilitator in the Zharay district of Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

Officials said the facilitator coordinated the transportation and storage of equipment and supplies used in insurgent attacks across the region.

The security force also detained several suspected insurgents, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In the Tsamkani district of Paktiya province, a combined force searching for a Haqqani leader called in an airstrike that killed several insurgents. The leader is responsible for coordinating, financing and leading attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. No civilians had been harmed and no property had been damaged.

-- A combined force detained a Haqqani leader and several suspected insurgents in the Sharan district of Paktika province. The detained Haqqani leader was responsible for building improvised explosive devices used throughout the region. He also provided IED instruction to other Haqqani insurgents.

In June 26 operations:

-- A combined force killed multiple insurgents, detained several others and seized a weapons cache containing six rocket-propelled grenades, six IEDs, some homemade explosives, eight AK-47 rifles, one machine gun, three grenades, and communications equipment in the Shahid-e Hasas district of Uruzgan province.

-- A combined force killed one insurgent during a firefight in Ghazni province's Gelan district.

-- Coalition forces killed two insurgents in the Qarah Bagh district of Ghazni province.

-- A combined force detained two insurgents in Khowst province's Sperah district.

-- A combined force discovered a cache containing some RPGs in Khowst province's Nadir Shah Kot district.

-- A combined force killed six insurgents and detained three others in Logar province's Pul-E Alam district.

-- A combined force detained 12 insurgents in Nangarhar province's Khugyani district.

-- Afghan police and coalition forces discovered a cache containing several mortar rounds in the Deh Bala district of Nangarhar province.

-- Afghan police and coalition forces detained three insurgents in Parwan province's Bagram district.

-- Afghan soldiers and coalition forces killed one insurgent in the Siaghird district of Parwan province.

And on June 24, a combined force captured an insurgent leader in the Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province. The detained insurgent had planned, directed and executed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

ISAF JOINT COMMAND REPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN JUNE 14, 2012

Photo:  U.S. and Afghan Forces Fighting Insurgents.  Credit:  U.S. Army.

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2012 - An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force killed the Taliban commander, Fayez Jan, and one additional insurgent during an operation in the Daman district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

As Afghan and coalition troops approached Fayez Jan's location, they were attacked with small-arms fire, officials said. The security force returned fire, killing Fayez Jan and one additional insurgent.

Fayez Jan constructed, distributed and directed the placement of improvised explosive devices throughout Daman and Shah Wali Kot districts, officials said. At the time of his death, Fayez Jan was planning to launch an IED attack against Afghan and coalition convoys in the area.

Two Afghan males injured in the battle were transported to coalition medical facilities for treatment, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained two suspects in the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Helmand province. The captured leader armed and coordinated the movement of Taliban insurgents throughout the region. He also instructed insurgents on the use and placement of IEDs.

-- A combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Kajaki district of Helmand province. The leader commands more than a dozen Taliban insurgents and directs attacks throughout the region.

In June 13 operations:

-- Combined forces killed three insurgents during a firefight in Kunar province's Watahpur district.

-- Combined forces detained four insurgents in the Maidan Shahr district of Warkak province.

-- Combined forces detained one insurgent in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province.

In June 11 operations:

-- Combined forces killed several insurgents, detained several suspects, and seized drugs, weapons and ammunition during a helicopter-enabled operation in the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand province. Afghan forces stopped a suspicious vehicle and conducted a search, resulting in the detention of several individuals. The search of the vehicle yielded 1,606 pounds of dry opium and 3,500 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. One of the detainees led the security forces to another vehicle that was hidden in the desert. Within the second vehicle the security forces found one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, four RPG anti-tank rounds, four machine guns, five hand grenades, several IED-making components, and 440 pounds of homemade explosives.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE NEWS RELEASE IN AFGHANISTAN MAY 30, 2012

Photo:  Helicopter Flying Over Afghanistan.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Force Kills Several Insurgents

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 30, 2012 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during an operation to detain a Taliban facilitator in the Sayyidabad district of Afghanistan's Wardak province today, military officials reported.

The Taliban facilitator works directly for the senior Taliban leader in Sayyidabad and also supplies weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops, officials said.

As the combined force approached the leader's location, multiple insurgents fired on the troops from within a building, which was later determined to be a mosque. The security force returned fire, killing the insurgents. The Afghan troops entered the building to ensure no insurgents remained.

As the Afghan force cleared the area, they discovered one of the insurgents killed in the exchange had an unstable grenade rigged to his equipment. The Afghan troops requested a coalition explosives expert enter the building and defuse the grenade. The explosives expert rendered the grenade safe, removed it without incident, and departed the area as the Afghan forces finished clearing the building.

During the subsequent search, the Afghan forces recovered a machine gun, multiple AK-47 rifles and several grenades.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force detained a Taliban facilitator in the Washer district of Helmand province. The facilitator worked for Taliban leaders in the district and provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also performed investigations for the Taliban and attempted to intimidate Afghan civilians who supported the government of Afghanistan.

-- A combined force detained numerous suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Panjwa'i district of Kandahar province. The sought-after Taliban leader plans and coordinates attacks against Afghan government officials, as well as Afghan and coalition troops. He also coordinates the movement of insurgents and weapons into the Panjwa'i district.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force called in an airstrike that killed several insurgents, and it also seized AK-47 rifles, several magazines and multiple grenades, and detained numerous suspects during an operation to capture a Haqqani facilitator. The facilitator supplies weapons, ammunition, rockets and explosives to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district. As the security force approached the insurgent leader's location, several armed insurgents appeared. After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the security force called for a precision airstrike to engage the enemy fighters. Several insurgents were killed and a follow-on assessment determined that no civilians were harmed and no civilian property was damaged.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during an operation to capture a Haqqani facilitator in the Musahi district of Kabul province. The facilitator is involved in the preparations for an attack in Kabul City against Afghan officials and Afghan and coalition troops. He also coordinates the movement of explosives, weapons and equipment between Haqqani leaders and subordinate insurgents.

And in operations yesterday, a combined force killed several Taliban fighters and seized multiple AK-47 rifles, grenades and IEDs during an operation to detain a Taliban leader in the Almar district of Faryab province. The leader plans and organizes roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and is responsible for distributing funds to Taliban district commanders.

ARMED FORCES NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN

Photo:  Flying Over Afghanistan.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Combined Force Kills 2 Insurgents in Firefight
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, May 29, 2012 - A combined force killed two insurgents and seized several AK-47 rifles and some ammunition magazines during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Gomal district of Afghanistan's Paktika province today, military officials reported.

The sought-after insurgent leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Sarobi district, officials said. He also coordinates the movement of insurgents and weapons throughout the region.

Two armed insurgents fired on the Afghan and coalition troops as they approached the insurgents' suspected location. The security force returned fire, killing the insurgents. A post-incident assessment confirmed that no civilians were harmed during the operation.

Also today, a combined force detained one suspect and seized a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with rockets, several grenades, sniper ammunition and illegal narcotics during a search for a Taliban leader in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The Taliban leader plans and coordinates roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops. He also provides other insurgents with weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:
-- Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.

-- An ISAF aircraft crashed during routine operations in eastern Afghanistan. There were no fatalities reported. The aircrew and passengers were safely transported to a nearby ISAF installation for evaluation. ISAF is investigating the cause of the crash. Initial reporting indicates that there was no enemy activity in the area.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained a Taliban leader and two other suspected insurgents in the Panjwa'i district of Kandahar province. The leader coordinated suicide bombings and attacks against Afghan forces and civilians and coalition troops. He also supervised the construction of suicide vests and other explosive devices and distributed them to insurgents under his control.

-- In the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Baghlan province, a combined force searched for a Taliban leader. The leader plans and conducts roadside bombings, indirect-fire attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition troops. He also builds IEDs.

-- A combined force called in an airstrike that killed one insurgent during a search for an al-Qaida leader in the Dangam district of Kunar province. The leader facilitates the movement of weapons, equipment and insurgents. He also procures and transports supplies for insurgents throughout the province.

-- A combined force detained a Haqqani leader and two other insurgents in the Jaji district of Paktiya province. The insurgent leader planned and directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In May 27 operations:
-- A combined force called in an airstrike that killed Sakhr al-Taifi, an al-Qaida leader, and one additional al-Qaida terrorist in the Watahpur district of Kunar province. Sakhr al-Taifi, also known as Musthaq and Nasim, was al-Qaida's second-highest leader in Afghanistan, responsible for commanding foreign insurgents, in addition to directing attacks against coalition and Afghan forces. He frequently traveled between Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying out commands from senior al-Qaida leadership. He also supplied weapons and equipment to insurgents operating in eastern Afghanistan and managed the illegal transport of insurgent fighters into Afghanistan. No civilians or property were harmed in the operation.

-- A combined force killed one insurgent during a firefight in the Tagab district of Kapisa province.

-- A combined force discovered IED-making materials in the Ab Band district of Ghazni province.

-- A combined force killed 16 insurgents and detained one suspect in the Musa Khel district of Khowst province.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The sought-after insurgent is the senior Taliban leader in the Marjeh district and manages multiple insurgent cells in the area. He directs suicide bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the Marjeh and Nahr-e Saraj districts. He also coordinates with Taliban leaders to move suicide bombers and explosives into Afghanistan.

-- A combined force killed several insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Aliabad district of Kunduz province. The leader is the senior Taliban insurgent in the district and controls multiple insurgent cells. He plans, coordinates, and conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against district government officials and Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Khwajah Sabz Posh district of Faryab province, a combined force detained several suspects while searching for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator. The facilitator distributes funds, weapons and other equipment between IMU cells and manages the recruitment and movement of insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops.

-- In the Arghistan district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained several insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader. The insurgent leader conducts roadside bombings and indirect-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition troops in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Zabul province. He also provides weapons, ammunition and roadside bombs to insurgents.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Daman and Shah Wali Kot districts. He also builds IEDs and distributes them to insurgents.

-- In the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained two suspects and seized one pistol during a search for a Taliban leader. The leader conducts roadside bombings and ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces in the Sherzad and Khugyani districts.

-- A combined force detained two suspects and seized one pistol and two grenades during a search for a Taliban leader in the Charkh district of Logar province. The leader conducts roadside bombings and ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district.

In May 26 operations:
-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained one suspect and confiscated 10 rocket-propelled grenades, eight fuel cells, 50 machine gun rounds and a rifle in the Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents and detained two suspects during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. The sought-after insurgent leader controls several Taliban commanders and coordinates their attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is responsible for several roadside bombings along highways between Kandahar and Zabul provinces and for attacks against Afghan police forces.

-- In the Kandahar district of Kandahar province, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban facilitator. The facilitator operates in Kandahar and Farah provinces providing weapons, explosives and vehicles to insurgents.

-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained several suspects and seized multiple weapons while searching for a Haqqani leader in the Sabari district of Khost province. The leader conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. He also provides weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents.
-- In the Jalrayz district of Wardak province, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained two suspects and seized multiple mortar rounds and one shotgun during a search for a Taliban leader. The leader conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition convoys traveling throughout the Maidan Shahr district in Wardak province. He also distributes weapons, ammunition and funds to insurgents.

In May 25 operations:
-- Combined forces found and destroyed 20 IEDs consisting of 365 pounds of homemade explosives, 16 pressure plates and 10 pounds of ammonium nitrate in the Zharay and Maiwand districts of Kandahar province.

In May 23 operations:
-- A combined force detained a bomb maker and several other insurgents and seized explosives, IED-making components and weapons in the Tarin Kowt district of Uruzgan province.

AFGHANISTAN'S KARZAI CONDEMNS VIOLENCE BY INSURGENTS

The following excerpt is from an e-mail from the Department of Defense: 

"

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force and ISAF Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2012 - The commander of the International Security Assistance Force joined with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in condemning a recent spate of insurgent violence in Afghanistan.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen offered condolences to the Afghan people for the "desperate acts of murder by insurgents."

At least six Afghans and an ISAF service member died in insurgent attacks yesterday. In the most recent attack, a man wearing an Afghan police uniform shot and killed an ISAF member in southern Afghanistan.

In other attacks yesterday:

-- A vehicle bearing a homemade bomb exploded when it rammed a district police station in Kandahar, killing two policemen and wounding four Afghan civilians.

-- A roadside bomb killed four civilians, including a child, in Kandahar's Shah Wali Kot district when the victims drove over a roadside bomb.

"My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in these attacks against the people of Afghanistan," Allen said. "On behalf of the coalition of 50 nations within ISAF, I send condolences to the loved ones concerned and pray for a swift recovery for the injured.

"These incidents again show the insurgency's total disregard for the Afghan people and disdain for peace," he continued. "The lack of concern for the peace and security of the Afghan people, and the continued killing of innocents, sends an obvious message by the insurgents: the Taliban do not care who or how many of their fellow Afghans are killed."

Allen said the attacks show insurgents' growing concern about an increasingly capable Afghan police force, as the attacks are conducted from a distance "to avoid certain capture."

"The insurgents should be concerned," the general said. "We -- ISAF and [Afghan security forces] together -- will continue in our efforts to hold these murderers to account."

In recent Afghanistan operations:

-- A coalition patrol in Kandahar's Zharay district Feb. 19 seized 16 mortar rounds, 12 recoilless rifle rounds and about 62 pounds of homemade explosives.

-- An Afghan and coalition security force in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province Feb. 18 captured a Taliban leader who directed the placement of explosives targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, an Afghan-led security force confiscated bomb-making materials and weapons and detained suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani leader who directs roadside-bomb and direct-fire attacks against Afghan forces."