Combined Force Detains Several Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force detained several insurgents during a search for a Haqqani facilitator in the Khost district of Afghanistan’s Khost province today, military officials reported.

The facilitator is an explosives expert, officials said, who builds bombs for insurgents to use against Afghan and coalition forces.

The sought-after insurgent leader is linked to the vehicle-born explosive device used during a June 1 attack against Forward Operating Base Salerno, in Khost, officials said.

Also today, a combined force called in an airstrike that killed several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Zurmat district of Paktiya province. The leader plans and conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the Gardez district. He is also an explosives expert who supervises the construction of remote controlled improvised explosive devices and other types of bombs. The security force recovered a machine gun, multiple AK-47 rifles, a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, an RPG round, and several magazines of ammunition.

In June 3 operations:

-- A combined force discovered a drug cache containing 699 pounds of hashish in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province.

-- A combined force called in an airstrike that killed several insurgents during an operation to detain an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator in the Argo district of Badakhshan province. The security force recovered five AK-47 rifles, three RPG launchers, several RPG rounds and multiple grenades.

-- In the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader. The leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan civilians, Afghan security forces and coalition troops. He also manages the construction of explosive devices and their distribution to insurgents.

-- A combined force detained two suspects during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sharan district of Paktika province. The leader plans and conducts roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition troops. He also recruits and supplies insurgents with suicide vests, weapons, ammunition and other equipment.

In June 2 operations:

-- The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the rescue of four civilians who were being held by insurgents in northern Afghanistan. Ms. Helen Johnston, Ms. Moragwe Oirere, and two Afghan civilians were kidnapped on May 22, 2012, in Badakhshan province, Afghanistan. Ms. Johnston and her colleagues are employees of Medair, a humanitarian non-governmental organization based near Lausanne, Switzerland. “First, I would like to thank the Afghan Ministry of the Interior and Minister Mohammadi for their tremendous support throughout this crisis. Second, this morning’s mission, conducted by coalition forces, exemplifies our collective and unwavering commitment to defeat the Taliban,” said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, ISAF commander. “I’m extremely grateful to the Afghan authorities and proud of the ISAF forces that planned, rehearsed, and successfully conducted this operation. Thanks to them, Ms. Helen Johnston, Ms. Moragwe Oirere, and their two co-workers will soon be rejoining their families and loved ones.”

-- A combined force detained a Haqqani leader and several other insurgents and seized an AK-47 rifle and several magazines of ammunition in the Sabari district of Khost province. The insurgent leader planned and coordinated the June 1 attack on Forward Operating Base Salerno.

-- In the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province, a combined force detained a Taliban facilitator and one additional insurgent. The facilitator provided weapons, ammunition and explosives to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province. The sought-after insurgent leader controls a large number of insurgents and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents during an operation to detain a Haqqani leader in the Muhammad Aghah district of Logar province. The Haqqani leader controls a large number of insurgents and conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Kabul City and the Muhammad Aghah district.

-- In the Wali Muhammad Shahid Khugyani district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban leader. The insurgent leader plans and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. He also supplies insurgents with weapons, ammunition and equipment.

-- A combined force killed several insurgents during an operation to detain a Taliban leader in the Murghab district of Badghis province. The insurgent leader is responsible for planning and conducting attacks and roadside bombings against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. He also provides weapons, ammunition and explosives to insurgents. The security force recovered multiple AK-47 rifles, grenades, and magazines with ammunition.

In June 1 operations:

-- A combined patrol discovered a weapons cache containing three shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missiles, three anti-tank mines, 423 RPGs, 118,600 7.62 mm rounds, 30 rifles and other ordnance in the Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province. The cache’s contents were destroyed.