Senior Taliban Leader Arrested In Afghanistan

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested Monday a Taliban senior leader in the Kandahar province.

According to ISAF officials, the arrested leader commanded all Taliban fighters within Kandahar city and eastern Panjwa’i districts.

Additionally, they said he directed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces while coordinating the movement of supplies, weapons and improvised explosive device making-materials throughout Kandahar province to support the Taliban insurgency.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents as a result of the operation.

Relatedly, Afghan and coalition security forces seized 1,270 kilograms (2,800 pounds) of opium and 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of heroin following a brief firefight in southern Helmand province in which one insurgent was killed and another was detained Saturday.

The vehicle and drugs were destroyed on site.

Furthermore, officials said that Afghan Police members of Provincial Response Company Ghazni, enabled by coalition forces, seized a cache of explosives and IED making materials in Ghazni Province yesterday. The seized items included three 40mm rocket-propelled grenades, one antitank mine and one IED with detonation cord ready to use. All materials were destroyed on location.

An Afghan and coalition force detained three suspected insurgents during a security operation in search of a Haqqani leader in Khost province today. The leader is believed to be responsible for multiple attacks throughout southern Khost province as well as IED emplacement. During the operation, the security force also seized an assault rifle and numerous grenades.

Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents engaged in threatening activity during separate operations in Kunar and Logar provinces Sunday.