Sep. 18., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – In Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested one of the Taliban leaders behind Friday’s Camp Bastion attack.

The Taliban leader was successfully taken into custody by the security force following joint efforts by Afghan and coalition forces to track down the Taliban insurgents responsible for the Camp Bastion attack. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

The Taliban leader is suspected to have provided support to the insurgents whose attack killed two ISAF service members and caused damage to multiple aircraft. ISAF forces killed all but one of the attacking insurgents, who was wounded and currently in ISAF custody.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested the leader of a Taliban attack cell in Nahr-e Shahi district, Balkh province, today. The arrested leader was known as an improvised explosive device expert and is believed to deploy IEDs in frequent attacks, in addition to providing them to other insurgents operating in the region. The security force also seized dozens of IED components, including pressure plates, blasting caps and detonation cord as a result of this operation.

East

The Afghan Special Operations Unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Haqqani leader in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, today. The arrested leader is suspected of planning and directing multiple attacks throughout the region, often collaborating with Haqqani senior leaders in Pakistan. Prior to his arrest, the Haqqani leader is believed to have orchestrated an improvised explosive device attack that injured two Afghan National Army soldiers. The Afghan Special Operations Unit also detained two suspected insurgents and seized several firearms as a result of this operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed one armed insurgent during an operation to arrest a Haqqani leader in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. As the security force approached the leader’s suspected location, an armed insurgent maneuvered from the compound and opened fire on the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force returned fire, killing the armed insurgent. No civilians were harmed in the exchange. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent, seized multiple firearms, and safely destroyed several kilograms of explosives as a result of this operation.

Posted in: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Improvised explosive device, International Security Assistance Force, ISAF Op Update, Kabul, Taliban