Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2011 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and detained several others during an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator yesterday in the Kajaki district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials reported.

The facilitator coordinates shipments of explosives and weapons used to support Taliban operations in the area, officials said.

An insurgent armed with an assault rifle was killed when he engaged the security force, and a second armed insurgent was killed after displaying hostile intent.

In Zabul province's Qalat district today, a coalition patrol found and destroyed 616 pounds of homemade explosives.

In operations around Afghanistan yesterday:

-- A combined force killed an insurgent and detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Taliban leader in Faryab province's Ghormach district. The leader plans and directs attacks against Afghan forces, obtains weapons for enemy fighters and enforcing illegal taxes on local residents.

-- In Kunduz province's Kunduz district, a combined force captured a Taliban leader responsible for roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan government officials and detained two other suspected insurgents.

-- A combined force detained a suspected insurgent during an operation in search of an enemy facilitator in Paktia province's Sarobi district. The facilitator provides money and supplies and harbors network leaders throughout the region.

-- In Paktia's Gardez district a combined force detained several suspects during an operation in search of an insurgent network leader. The leader coordinates roadside-bomb attacks and is directly responsible for recent attacks in the Zurmat and Gardez districts.

-- A combined force in Logar province's Muhammad Aghah district detained two suspected insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator who distributes weapons and roadside bombs to insurgent fighters.

-- In Kandahar province's Kandahar district, a combined force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator responsible for the movement of ammunition and explosives between Kandahar and Zabul provinces.

-- A combined patrol in Helmand province's Nahr-E Saraj district seized and destroyed 220 pounds of opium and 220 pounds of ammonium nitrate.

-- -- A combined force killed a Taliban leader and an associate with a precision airstrike in Zabul province's Tarnek wa Jaldak district. The target of the operation led numerous insurgent fighters and was responsible for attacks against Afghan forces.

In Oct. 15 operations:

-- A combined force searching for a Haqqani network leader responsible for attacks against Afghan government officials was involved in an engagement in Wardak province" Chak-e Wardak district. At the onset of the operation, the security force called for people inside the targeted compound to come out peacefully and saw a person who did not come out pointing a weapon through a window them. The force fired, and fired again upon seeing a second armed individual. Elsewhere at the location, the security force was fired upon by a third person and returned fire, killing him. Upon entering the building, the force found that two of the three armed individuals were women. Following the operation, the security force met with village leaders to inform them about the events. Two suspected insurgents were detained, and the security force confiscated three assault rifles, ammunition pouches and a grenade.

-- In Baghlan province's Baghlan-e Jadid district, a combined force captured a Taliban leader and another suspected insurgent. The leader planned attacks against Afghan forces and placed roadside bombs throughout the province.

-- A combined force in Khost province's Musa Khel district found and destroyed five rifles, three 82 mm rounds, 11 assault-rifle magazines, mortar and missile launcher components, ammunition and a truck, and detained five insurgents in connection with the discovery.

-- In Khost's Sabari district, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network facilitator who distributes weapons, ammunition, rockets and roadside bombs to insurgent fighters in the region. Bomb-making materials and other weapons, including rockets and ammunition, were confiscated the operation.

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator in Nangarhar province's Khugyani district who distributes explosives for use in attacks against Afghan forces. The security force confiscated two assault rifles and other military equipment.

-- In Wardak province's Maidan Shahr district, a combined security force captured a Haqqani network leader who coordinated suicide-bomb attacks in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

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