KABUL, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban facilitator in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, today.
The Taliban facilitator works directly for the senior Taliban leader in Sayyidabad and also supplies weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops.
As the combined force approached the leader’s suspected location, multiple insurgents fired on the Afghan and coalition troops from within a building, which was later determined to be a mosque. The security force returned fire, killing the insurgent attackers. The Afghan troops went into the building to ensure no insurgents remained.
As the Afghan force cleared the area, they discovered one of the insurgents killed in the exchange had an unstable grenade rigged to his equipment. The Afghan troops requested a coalition explosives expert enter the building and defuse the grenade. The explosives expert rendered the grenade safe, removed it without incident, and departed the area as the Afghan forces finished clearing the building.
During the subsequent search, the Afghan forces recovered a machine gun, multiple AK-47s and several grenades.
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:
North
An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban leader in Almar district, Faryab province, yesterday. The leader plans and organizes roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the province and is responsible for distributing funds to the Taliban district commanders in Faryab.
During the mission, armed insurgents attacked the Afghan and coalition troops with small arms fire and grenades. The security force returned fire killing several Taliban fighters. The security force seized multiple AK-47s, grenades, and improvised explosive devices during a search of the area and reported that no civilians were harmed.
South
In Washer district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban facilitator during an operation today. The facilitator worked directly for Taliban leaders in Washer district and provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He also performed investigations for the Taliban and attempted to intimidate Afghan civilians who supported the government of Afghanistan.
An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban leader in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today. The leader plans and coordinates attacks against Afghan government officials, as well as Afghan and coalition troops. He also coordinates the movement of insurgents and weapons into Panjwa’i district. The security force detained numerous suspected insurgents during the operation.
East
In Sabari district, Khost province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Haqqani facilitator today. The facilitator supplies weapons, ammunition, rockets and explosives to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district. As the security force approached the leader’s suspected location, several armed insurgents attempted to maneuver toward the Afghan and coalition troops. After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the security force called for a precision airstrike to engage the enemy fighters. As a result, several insurgents were killed and a follow-on assessment determined that no civilians were harmed and no civilian property was damaged.
During a subsequent search of the area, the security force recovered AK-47 rifles, several magazines and multiple grenades. The security force detained numerous additional insurgents, and seized multiple mortar rounds and a rocket-propelled grenade booster as a result of this operation.
Finally, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Haqqani facilitator in Musahi district, Kabul province, today. The facilitator is involved in the preparations for an attack in Kabul City against Afghan officials as well as Afghan and coalition troops. He also coordinates the movement of explosives, weapons and equipment between Haqqani leaders and subordinate insurgents. Several suspected insurgents were detained as a result of this operation.