KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a
senior Taliban weapons dealer during an operation in Talah wa Barfak
district,
Baghlan province, today.
The detained weapons dealer was a senior Taliban leader in the Talah wa
Barfak insurgent network and managed the purchase and distribution of
rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and explosive materials to
attack Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the region.
At the time of his arrest the Taliban weapons dealer was believed to be
acquiring additional firearms and explosives for future insurgent
attacks.
One armed insurgent was also killed during the operation. As the
security force approached the Taliban weapon dealer’s location, an armed
insurgent displayed hostile intent towards the Afghan and coalition
troops. The security force positively identified the lethal threat and
engaged the armed insurgent, killing him. No civilians were harmed
during the operation.
The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms as a result of this operation.
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:
East
Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the arrest of two
insider attack planners during a security operation in Pul-e ‘Alam
district,
Logar province, Friday. The detained insurgents were known
insider attack - or “green on blue” - facilitators, and planned several
operations throughout Logar province. At the time of their arrest, the
attack planners were in the advanced stages of preparing for a strike
against a coalition base, which included the construction of improvised
explosive devices (IEDs), recruitment of insurgent fighters, and the
attempted infiltration of Afghan security forces. The security force
also detained one suspected insurgent as a result of the operation.
An Afghan and coalition security force killed two armed insurgents,
including the leader of a Taliban attack cell, in Sayyidabad district,
Wardak province, today. As the security force approached the Taliban
leader’s location, the Taliban leader and another armed insurgent
maneuvered to a tactical position. The security force positively
identified the hostile threat and, after insuring no civilians were in
the area, requested a precision airstrike. The Taliban leader and
accompanying armed insurgent were killed. A post-strike assessment
determined no civilians were harmed and no property was damaged. The
Taliban leader is believed to have provided guidance and weapons for
attacks against security forces in southeastern Wardak, in addition to
coordinating the emplacement of roadside bombs.
South
The Afghan Special Operations Unit, supported by coalition troops,
arrested a Taliban
improvised explosive device (IED) expert in Panjwa’i
district,
Kandahar province, today. The detained IED expert is suspected
of being directly involved the construction of roadside bombs and other
explosives for Taliban attacks, as well as overseeing the emplacement
and use of IEDs throughout Kandahar province. At the time of his arrest,
the Taliban IED expert was believed to be harboring insurgent fighters
and planning future attacks. The security force also detained four
suspected insurgents as a result of the operation.
An Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspected insurgent
during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Panjwa’i district,
Kandahar province, today. The Taliban leader has direct ties to senior
Taliban leaders in Kandahar and enforces their orders throughout the
province’s insurgent network. One firearm was also seized during the
operation.
Afghan Special Police, enabled by coalition forces, recovered caches of
weapons and narcotics in separate operations in Nimroz province
yesterday. The first operation, in Zaranji district, resulted in the
seizure of 560 kilograms (1,250 pounds) of dry opium and ammunition
nitrate. In Chakhansr district, an Afghan-led security force recovered
560 kilograms of opium, 104 kilograms (230 pounds) of heroin and one
machine gun. The combined force also detained two individuals suspected
of facilitating the movement of weapons and narcotics across southern
Afghanistan. All seized drugs were destroyed in place.
Afghan Special Police members of Provincial Response Company Zabul,
enabled by coalition forces, seized a quantity of materials used to make
IEDs, along with a motorcycle intended for use in a suicide improvised
explosive device attack, a machine gun, grenades and ammunition during a
search operation in Shinkai district,
Zabul province yesterday.
Central
An Afghan and coalition security force detained four suspected
insurgents during an operation to arrest a senior Taliban leader in
Waghaz district, Ghazni province, today. The Taliban leader is believed
to be responsible for improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and
suicide operations throughout Waghaz district, as well as commanding
dozens of insurgent fighters. The security force also seized several
firearms and multiple IED components, including explosive material, as a
result of the operation.
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