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.