Combined Force Arrests Insurgent Leader in Ghazni Province

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2013 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Lashkar-e Tayyiba leader and detained a number of other insurgents during an operation in the Andar district of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province today, military officials reported.

The detained insurgent leader is alleged to have planned and participated in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kunar, Kandahar and Ghazni provinces, officials said. He also is known to have links to multiple foreign fighters, and was actively planning an attack at the time of his arrest.

Also today, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other insurgent in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province. The arrested Taliban leader is suspected of planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Nangarhar province. He’s also suspected of using his residence as a staging point for insurgent operations, and of housing Taliban fighters and weapons. The security force seized two AK-47 rifles, one automatic shotgun, one grenade and ammunition.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

— In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force arrested one insurgent during a search for a Haqqani leader. The sought-after Haqqani leader is suspected of acquiring and distributing weapons to fellow insurgents. He’s also suspected to have operational control over a cell of fighters in the district and of personally leading subordinates in rocket-propelled grenade attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

— A combined force killed insurgent leader, Rauf, and two other insurgents in the Asadabad district of Kunar province. Rauf was an operational planner responsible for coordinating insurgent attacks on Afghan and coalition forces in multiple provinces throughout Afghanistan. He has facilitated funding for foreign fighters and coordinated operations between the Taliban and other insurgent groups.

In April 13 Afghanistan operations:

— A combined force arrested a senior Taliban leader and detained two other insurgents in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province. The arrested insurgent leader commanded multiple cells of Taliban fighters and is alleged to have participated in numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Helmand province.

— Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed the death of Taliban leader, Yassin, during an operation in the Washer district of Helmand province. Yassin led a cell of fighters responsible for improvised explosive device operations against Afghan civilians in the Kandahar district. And he was involved in the facilitation of weapons and vehicles for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

— Combined forces confirmed the death of senior Taliban leader, Tawab, during an operation in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. Tawab was in charge of approximately 50 fighters in the area and was responsible for most of the insurgent activity and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the western and central sections of the Panjwa’i district.

— A combined force killed two insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. The sought-after Taliban leader is alleged to be in charge of approximately 50 fighters and is believed responsible for directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the western and central sections of the Panjwa’i district. He is also considered vital to IED operations throughout the district.

— In the Washer district of Helmand province, a combined force killed one insurgent during a search for a Taliban leader. The sought-after Taliban leader is believed to head a cell of fighters responsible for IED attacks against Afghan civilians in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. He is also linked to the facilitation of weapons and vehicles for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

— In the Burkah district of Baghlan province, a combined force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader. The arrested leader is linked to a cell of insurgents responsible for improvised explosive device operations against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Balkh province.

— A combined force detained a number of insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. The sought-after insurgent leader is linked to a group of insurgent fighters responsible for multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, including the kidnapping of Afghan government officials. The security force also seized 50 pounds of hashish.

— A combined force detained one suspect during a search for a Taliban facilitator in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The suspected insurgent is believed to have provided IED logistics around the Kandahar district, to include procuring homemade explosives, assisting in IED construction, and delivery of completed devices for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

— In the Pul-e-Alam district of Logar province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani leader and detained one other insurgent. The arrested Haqqani leader is believed responsible for weapons facilitation in the Pul-e-Alam district, and for controlling a group of fighters responsible for IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized IED-making materials.

— A combined force detained a number of suspected insurgents during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Musa Khel district of Khost province. The sought-after Haqqani leader is believed responsible for procuring and distributing weapons and IEDs to his fellow fighters for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Khost province. The security force also seized fragmentation grenades, AK-47 rifles, a pistol, and a significant amount of ammunition.