War in Afghanistan News reports provided by ISAF Joint Command. Operations are reported in the following provinces: Helmand, Wardak, Kandahar, Khost, Nangarhar and Logar.
Precision air strikes called in.....
Large quantities of marijuana found.....
Multiple Taliban arrested.....
Smuggling Routes targeted successfully.....
Kandahar was a hotbed of activity.....
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In Helmand, Parwan and Kandahar provinces, Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF patrols found two weapon caches in Bagram, Marjeh, Kandahar and Arghandab districts. The caches consisted of one gun, 1,000 7.62 mm rounds, 100 12.7 mm rounds, one 82 mm mortar round, three hand grenades, one artillery grenade, two rocket-propelled grenades, four Chinese rockets, one mine, homemade explosives, one radio and four Afghan National Police uniforms. Combined forces also detained several suspected insurgents found in possession of weapons and uniforms.
Helmand Province
Several insurgents tried to enter an ISAF observation post in Sangin district. After verbal warnings and gaining positive identification, coalition forces engaged the enemy position, killing one insurgent.
In the same province, during two separate clearing operations, Afghan National Army and ISAF patrols were engaged by insurgents with small arms fire in Marjeh and Nahr-e Saraj districts. After establishing positive identification, coalition forces returned fire and called for air support. The air weapons team supporting ground forces engaged the enemy positions, killing several insurgents and dispersing the others.
Also.....
A joint Afghan national security and International Security Assistance Force vehicle-interdiction operation targeted insurgent smuggling routes in Kandahar and Helmand provinces, Jan. 23.
Several insurgents were killed and a large quantity of weapons and narcotics was found during the operation.
Acting on multiple intelligence reports and tips from local citizens, the patrol saw a suspicious vehicle parked outside of a small compound. As the patrol moved to search the vehicle and compound, they were engaged by two armed men. The patrol returned fire, killing the two men.
As the patrol moved further into the compound, they were met by another man who attempted to engage the force. The insurgent was engaged with accurate fire and killed.
During a search the patrol discovered two AK-47 rifles, associated ammunition, 60 pounds (27 kilograms) of pure heroin, 52 pounds (24 kilograms) of brown heroin and 1,895 pounds (860 kilograms) of wet opium.
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Wardak Province
Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban improvised explosive device manufacturer and facilitator during a security operation in Wardak province yesterday.
The now detained Taliban IED manufacturer and facilitator operated in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province. Reporting indicates he possesses in-depth knowledge on the production of explosive devices and teaches other Taliban insurgents how to construct them.
Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district. Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search and securing the area. The Taliban insurgent was detained based on initial questioning at the scene.
Kandahar Province
An Afghan National Police patrol discovered a large weapons and improvised explosive device-making components cache in Kandahar district.
The cache consisted of 2,910 pounds (1,320 kilograms) of explosives, 4,300 pounds (1,950 kilograms) of ammonium nitrate, 2,600 feet (800 meters) of detonation cord, three chest racks, one suicide belt, 70 remote control units with circuit boards, 36 grenades, one van, three motorcycles and one station wagon. Afghan National Police also detained numerous suspected insurgents related to the cache.
Initial reports indicate no civilians were injured and no damage was reported during the clearing operations. The weapons, IED making components and chemicals from all the provinces were confiscated and will be destroyed.
Also.....
A joint Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces found and cleared five major weapons caches Jan. 23, while conducting joint clearing operations in Arghandab district.
The joint operation was led by the Afghan National Police and included Afghan National Army and ISAF soldiers, who worked together in a continued effort to drive Taliban from the area and restore security in the region.
The Afghan National Police detained three suspected insurgents from multiple compounds in the area. Weapons seized included: three rifles, six rockets, three jugs of homemade explosives, multiple components of bomb making materials and various munitions.
“By finding and destroying these caches, we have denied the insurgents their ability to use these weapons against innocent Afghans and security forces,” said U.S. Army Maj. Earl Brown, public affairs officer, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
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Also.....
Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader responsible for suicide attacks, along with two suspected insurgents during a security operation in Kandahar province yesterday.
The Taliban leader operated in Maiwand district where he was responsible for coordinating and conducting improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces. He is associated with other Taliban leaders in the province. Recent reporting indicates he had started building a suicide vest for an upcoming attack in the area.
Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district, where Afghan and coalition forces conducted a search after securing the compound. The Taliban leader and two suspected insurgents were detained after the compound was secure based on initial questioning at the scene.
Also.....
Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban leader who operates in Spin Boldak district, detaining numerous suspected insurgents during a security operation.
The targeted Taliban leader is responsible for planning and executing attacks against coalition forces. He is associated with other Taliban leaders in the province to include the Spin Boldak district Taliban leader. Recent reporting indicates he had Taliban insurgents place improvised explosive devices for future attacks.
Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district, where Afghan and coalition forces conducted a search after securing the compound. The suspected insurgents were detained for their insurgent activities after initial questioning at the scene.
Multiple AK-47's, chest racks, a pressure plate, an IED detonation device, 35 blasting caps and ammunition were recovered by the security force.
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Khost Province
Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Haqqani Network facilitator who operates across the district during a security operation, detaining several suspected insurgents.
The targeted Haqqani Network facilitator supplies mortars and heavy weaponry to Haqqani Network leaders in Sabari district for attacks on Afghan National Army and coalition force members. He has ties to other Haqqani Network leaders and facilitators in the area. Recent reporting indicates he attempted an IED attack on coalition forces in the area.
Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Sabari district. Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search and securing the area. Several insurgents were detained based on initial questioning at the scene.
Nangarhar Province
Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban leader during a security operation, detaining one suspected insurgent.
The Taliban leader is active within Sherzad district where he planned and conducted attacks against coalition forces. He was previously subordinate to a senior Taliban leader before the leader’s detainment. He led a 25-man insurgent cell responsible for an attack on coalition forces near Tormai village last year that destroyed a coalition vehicle.
Following intelligence leads, security forces targeted a compound in the district. Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search and securing the area. The suspected insurgent was detained based on initial questioning at the scene.
An AK-47, pistol, chest rack, ammunition and a large amount of marijuana were discovered inside the compound.
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Logar Province
Coalition forces killed Abdul Bari, a Taliban leader, with a precision air strike in Logar province yesterday.
Abdul Bari was a Taliban logistics leader in the province’s Pul-e ‘Alam district where he facilitated weapons and vehicles on behalf of Taliban leaders. He was directly associated with leaders of the Kabul attack network. Additionally, he collected information regarding coalition forces’ movements to be used in attack coordination.
Surveillance reports identified Abdul Bari moving in a vehicle through a rural area in Pul-e ‘Alam district. Coalition forces called in the air strike once they determined there were no civilians in the immediate area.
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