KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces detained more than 10 suspected insurgents and killed several armed combatants during three operations aimed at capturing a high-ranking Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan senior leader and Taliban leadership throughout Afghanistan yesterday.
In Takhar province, Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents and killed several armed combatants during their search for a high-ranking Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan senior leader.
The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader specializes in improvised explosive device attacks against Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials. He also coordinates the district Taliban leader’s movements, distributes funds, facilitates ammunition deliveries and is involved in a drug trafficking network between Badakhshan province and Tajikistan. He maintains close connections with the Taliban shadow governor for Takhar province, al-Qaida facilitators and other Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan insurgents in the area.
Multiple intelligence sources led the security force to the targeted building in Khwajah Ghar district. As the joint security force arrived, armed combatants engaged them with small arms fire. The security force returned fire resulting in several armed combatants being killed.
The building the armed combatants occupied caught fire with multiple explosions occurring inside. The villagers told the security force the Taliban forcibly demanded to use the guesthouse for the night. All local nationals vacated when the Taliban occupied the guesthouse. Security forces cleared the adjacent building protecting six women and 11 children from the fire that was less than 65 feet (20 meters) away.
Two suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning by the security force. The security force assessed multiple AK-47's, grenades and ammunition were inside the guesthouse due to the amount of enemy fire received by the security force.
In Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban IED manufacturer during a security operation detaining numerous suspected insurgents.
The targeted Taliban IED manufacturer and emplacer operates in Sayyidabad district. He is involved in multiple attacks on Afghan National Army and coalition forces and is associated with Taliban leaders and facilitators in the area. Reporting indicates he built IED's in his home and then stockpiled them in the local area for future attacks.
Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Sayyidabad district where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search and securing the area.
Numerous suspected insurgents were detained based on initial questioning at the scene.
In Nimroz province, Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban leader responsible for weapons facilitation detaining several suspected insurgents during a security operation.
The Taliban leader operates out of Khash Rod district where he was responsible for the distribution and transfer of weapons and explosives in the province. He also has knowledge of and aids in development of Taliban plans to attack coalition forces in the area. He and fellow Taliban insurgents planned a vehicle-borne IED attack on coalition forces in the area according to recent reporting.
Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Khash Rod district, where Afghan and coalition forces conducted a search after securing the compound. Several suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning at the scene.