IMU commander captured in northern Afghanistan

Districts of Baghlan. Burka in blue (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Patrick Megahan - January 29, 2013 - LWJ

Afghan and Coalition forces arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) commander today during an operation in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) reported capturing the member of the al Qaeda-linked IMU in the Burkah district, making this the second IMU operative captured in that district so far this year.

According to ISAF, "the leader conducted assassinations directed by insurgent leadership in the province." He also coordinated the supply of weapons to insurgents for attacks on Afghan and Coalition forces. However, when asked by The Long War Journal where he was acquiring the weapons, ISAF said it could not verify the location but that the detainee is of "Afghan-Uzbek nationality."

The last reported operation targeting an IMU operative occurred on Jan. 11, also in the Burkah district of Baghlan province. In that raid, Afghan and Coalition forces captured a Taliban leader who also serves as an IMU commander and was responsible for rooting out disloyal fighters within both organizations. This followed a Jan. 10 operation conducted in neighboring Takhar province that killed an IMU facilitator by the name of Mazlum Yar. Yar facilitated suicide bombers and organized IED emplacement throughout Takhar and Baghlan provinces.

continue and read more on The Long War Journal 

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• IMU commander captured in northern Afghanistan (longwarjournal.org)

Posted in: Afghanistan, alqaeda, Baghlan Province, International Security Assistance Force, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Taliban