ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR APRIL 22, 2013

 

U.S. Army Sgt. Nichole D. Sharp and her military working dog, Hatos, search a truck while assessing security in the new customs yard under construction near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in the Spin Boldak district in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, April 8, 2013. Sharp, a military police officer, is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann 　

 

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Afghan, Coalition Forces Arrest Insurgents During Searches
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2013 - Combined Afghan and coalition security forces arrested seven insurgents yesterday during searches for Taliban leaders in two of Afghanistan's provinces, military officials reported.

The arrests took place in three separate operations:

-- In Kandahar province's Kandahar district, a combined force arrested an insurgent while searching for a senior Taliban leader who is believed to have operational control over a group of insurgents responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is believed to be a key insurgent facilitator in the area, procuring and distributing weapons and other military supplies.

-- Also in Kandahar's Kandahar district, a combined force arrested four insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader who is believed to manage a network of insurgents throughout the province while gathering intelligence to use against Afghan and coalition forces. He also has participated in executions of Afghan officials, assisted in obtaining weapons for insurgents, and had a direct association with Abdullah Wakil, the former Taliban leader for the province's Panjwai district, who was killed March 31 during a combined operation

-- A combined force in Nangarhar province's Khugyani district arrested three insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader who is believed to be responsible for assassinations of government officials, facilitating the movement of money and distributing weapons to insurgents and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In April 20 Afghanistan operations:

-- Feda Mohammad, a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, was killed during an operation in Balkh province's Balkh district. Also known as Omari, Mohammad had a long history of planning attacks against civilians and Afghan and coalition forces. Prior to Afghan New Year celebrations in March, he coordinated a failed attack against public gatherings, specifically targeting Balkh's governor and other government officials with suicide bombers. He also had extensive experience facilitating the movement of improvised explosive devices.

-- A combined force in Khost province's Matun district arrested a Haqqani network leader who is believed to be involved in planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He has also performed reconnaissance operations for his cell. The security force also arrested two other insurgents.

In other news, Afghan and coalition security forces today confirmed the death of senior Taliban leader Mullah Hayatullah during an April 18 operation in Kandahar's Maiwand district. One of the top officials for the Taliban in the district, Hayatullah was responsible for organizing and planning attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also facilitated the movement of insurgent weapons and supplies and plotted to assassinate Afghans who support the local government and Afghan forces.

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR APRIL 3, 2013

U.S. Army Sgt. Justin R. Pereira, right, and Laika 5, a military working dog trained to detect tactical explosives, provide security as Afghan border police break ground on a new checkpoint in the Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, March 25, 2013. Pereira and Laika 5 are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Striker Brigade Combat Team. The border police moved to the new location to block an insurgent nfiltration route. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann

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

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 3, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in the Burkah district of Afghanistan's Baghlan province today, military officials reported.

The leader has allegedly led a cell of insurgent fighters in multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also is accused of training insurgent fighters and serves a vital role in intelligence and improvised explosive device operations, they added.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Kandahar province's Dand district detained two insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator believed to have arranged the transportation of weapons and IEDs throughout Kandahar for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also allegedly has ordered subordinates to commit executions and kidnappings against Afghan civilians working with government officials. The security force also seized a machine gun and a grenade.

-- In Helmand province's Nad-e Ali district, a combined force detained several insurgents while searching for a senior Taliban leader who allegedly commands numerous cells of Taliban fighters. He and his subordinates are believed to have participated in numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and he also is believed to have plotted the assassination of Afghan government officials. The security force seized an assault rifle and two ammunition magazines.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and several other insurgents in Logar province's Pul-e Alam district. The leader is believed to be responsible for the movement and coordination of insurgent fighters throughout the province and for procuring and distributing weapons for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.