Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2011 - Afghan and coalition forces detained three suspects and seized a weapons cache yesterday during operations in the Regional Command East region of Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The cache contained two assault rifles, 10 full magazines, one chest rack, one pistol holster and one full pistol magazine.

In Sept. 10 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined Afghan and International Security Assistance Force patrol detained numerous suspected insurgents and found a cache containing narcotics during an operation in the Registan district of Kandahar province. The cache contained 2,205 pounds of dry opium, 55 pounds of wet opium, and some small-arms and ammunition.

-- A combined patrol detained one suspect and seized a universal serial bus drive containing Taliban recruiting videos during an operation in the Washer district of Helmand province. The target of the operation is a group of insurgent fighters responsible for supporting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Helmand province's Nahr-e Saraj district, a coalition patrol seized and destroyed a weapons cache containing 12 anti-personnel mines.

-- In the Khas district of Uruzgan province, a combined patrol killed several insurgents and detained multiple suspects while searching for an insurgent leader who is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The patrol also seized one block of dynamite, one electronic detonator, one assault rifle, one radio, one suicide chest rig, seven pounds of opium, numerous cell phones and some small-arms ammunition.

-- In Uruzgan province's Shahid-e Hasas district, a combined patrol detained several suspects during an operation to disrupt an insurgent network. The network provides lethal aid used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force seized an explosives cache during a security operation in the Shinkai district of Zabul province. The cache contained 1,433 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a material that can be used to make explosives.

-- A combined force detained two suspects, seized a narcotics laboratory and destroyed a poppy field during a security operation in Zabul province's Qalat district.

-- Coalition forces killed a Taliban insurgent leader and his associate during a precision airstrike in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. The deceased Taliban leader equipped insurgents with roadside bombs and bomb-making materials in the Arghandab, Khariz and Shah Wali Kot districts. Coalition forces have captured more than 200 Taliban leaders and facilitators this year and killed more than 35 enemy insurgents in Kandahar province.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during an operation in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province.

-- In the Charkh district of Logar province, a combined force detained multiple suspects during a search for a Taliban. The insurgent is involved in attacks against coalition forces.

-- In the Pusht-e Rod district of Farah province, a combined patrol seized a weapons cache containing 13 rocket-propelled grenades, 16 mortar fins, 35 7.62 mm rounds, an assault rifle, one 120 mm mortar round, one mine, two radios and various bomb-making materials.

In Sept. 9 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined force killed several insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in the Muhammad Aghah district of Logar province. The leader is responsible for roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan forces in the region. The force seized some grenades and weapons during the operation.

-- Combined forces detained multiple suspects while searching for Taliban leaders in Helmand province's Nawah-ye Barakzai and Nahr-e Saraj districts. The insurgent leaders are responsible for attacks against coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained one suspect while searching for a Taliban leader in the Shah Wali Kot district. The Taliban leader is responsible for the transport of weapons and rockets in the district.

-- A combined patrol seized a weapons cache in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The cache contained one 5-gallon jug of homemade explosives, 150 7.62 mm rounds, two magazines, two machine guns, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one hand grenade, a mine and a battery pack.

-- A combined force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Haqqani network leader in the Gardez district of Paktia province. The leader plans ambushes, roadside-bomb and rocket attacks against coalition forces.

-- In the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province, a coalition patrol seized a weapons cache containing one .38-caliber pistol, 13 grenade bodies and about 200 7.62 mm rounds.

-- A combined patrol detained numerous suspects during an operation targeting an insurgent leader in the Khas district of Uruzgan province. The leader coordinates IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Shinkai district of Zabul province, a coalition patrol seized an IED cache containing IED-making material, including more than 300 pounds of homemade explosives.

-- A combined patrol detained several suspects during two separate operations targeting insurgent leaders in the Kabul district of Kabul province. The leaders conduct IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Return to headlines