ISAF Arrest Taliban Explosive Expert

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the arrest of a Taliban explosives expert during a security operation in Helmand province Wednesday.

The arrested explosives expert is believed to have operated throughout Helmand province, acquiring, constructing and distributing dozens of improvised explosive devices to insurgents.

The security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other news in the region, an Afghan and coalition security force discovered and successfully removed eight IEDs in Kandahar province Wednesday, after receiving a tip about the IEDs.Afghan and coalition security forces seized 15 bags of ammonium chloride, two opium presses, 40 liters (10.5 gallons) of hydrochloric acid and numerous cooking utensils during a search of suspected narcotics factories in Kandahar province yesterday. All seized items were destroyed at the location.

In Kandahar province today, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader suspected of distributing IED components to insurgents and facilitating IED ambushes and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained a number of other suspected insurgents.

Also on Wednesday, in Nangarhar province, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons, ammunition and suicide-IED facilitator. The facilitator is suspected of resourcing and delivering lethal aid to insurgents in the province for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents and seized grenades and multiple firearms. Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents engaged in threatening activity during a security operation in Ghazni province today.