OEF Summary, Nov. 12, 2009: Forces in Afghanistan Capture Terrorism Suspects

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2009 -- Afghan and international forces in Afghanistan today captured a sought-after Taliban commander following a firefight in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, and also captured a Haqqani terrorist group leader in another area, military officials reported.

In the first incident, the combined force killed several enemy militants and detained others in Ghazni's Zankhan district.

During the operation, the force received and returned fire, killing several enemy militants. A security element of the combined force searched the enemy position and recovered a rifle, multiple grenades, ammunition and communication gear.

The force then searched the compound and detained a group of suspected militants. The force also recovered IED-making materials and multiple assault rifles.

In other operations in Afghanistan:

• A combined force in the Zadran district of Wardak province today detained several suspected militants, including a sought-after Haqqani leader responsible for financial and logistical support of militant attacks in the Khowst-Gardez Pass. The force searched the camp where intelligence sources located the man. The force detained the suspects, one of whom surrendered and identified himself as the Haqqani leader.

• Combined forces detained several suspected militants in Helmand province yesterday while pursuing a senior Taliban commander who operates in the area. The force searched a camp outside of the village of Nabi Chah in Garmsir district after intelligence indicated militant activity there. The force conducted the search without incident and detained the suspects.

• In an operation yesterday in the Sayed Abad district of Wardak province, Afghan and international forces detained several suspected militants after searching compounds known to be used by a Taliban element. The combined force searched the compounds without incident, detained the suspects and recovered bomb-making materials, small arms components, a small cache of ammunition, and video equipment.

• A combined force yesterday detained two suspected militants in northeastern Kandahar City while pursuing a Taliban commander responsible for financial, media and logistical support of other militant elements in the area. The force searched the compound without incident.

• A combined force yesterday killed a group of enemy militants and detained a suspected militant in Ghazni province while pursuing a Taliban commander responsible for several attacks in the area and with numerous links to other Taliban commanders. The force targeted a compound near the village of Akhtar Kheyl in the Qara Bagh district after intelligence indicated militant activity there. During the operation, the force engaged and killed the enemy militants. The force searched the compound, detained the suspect and recovered bomb-making materials and multiple assault rifles and chest racks. No civilians were harmed.

• A combined force detained multiple suspected militants in Khandahar province after searching compounds known to be used by a Taliban commander responsible for several attacks in the area. The force targeted the compounds near the village of Atalay in Kharakaz district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The combined force searched the compounds without incident and detained the suspect.

• Combined forces detained a suspected militant in Wardak province who identified himself as a Taliban commander responsible for several attacks and supplying other militant elements in the area. The force targeted buildings in the Nerkh district after intelligence indicated militant activity. Afghan soldiers searched the buildings without incident and detained the suspect.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)