Combined Force Kills Taliban Weapons Dealer

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Froman International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2012 – AnAfghan and coalition security force killed a Taliban weapons dealer anddestroyed his cache of illegal weapons during an operation in the Omnahdistrict of Afghanistan’s Paktika province today, military officials reported.
Hizbullah, the weapons dealer, and anotherarmed insurgent maneuvered on the Afghan and coalition troops as the securityforce approached Hizbullah’s compound, officials said. The security forceengaged both armed insurgents, killing them. No civilians were harmed.
Hizbullah acquired and providedfirearms, ammunition and explosives to Taliban insurgents under his command,enabling them to conduct attacks against security forces throughout the region,officials said. He also was believed to have been attempting to acquire a heavymachine gun and additional equipment for future insurgent attacks.
A number of suspected insurgents weredetained in the operation, officials said. The security force also found anddestroyed assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, an RPG launcher,fragmentation grenades and ammunition.
Also today, a combined force arrestedthe leader of a Taliban cell and several other suspects in the Panjwai districtof Kandahar province. The arrested leader’s insurgent cell is suspected ofconducting small-arms fire and improvised explosive device attacks againstAfghan and coalition forces. He also allegedly is linked to attempts to acquireweapons -- including mortar rounds -- for future attacks. The Taliban leaderalso was believed to be involved in a plot to kidnap Afghan security officers.
In a Sept. 23 operation, anInternational Security Assistance Force patrol seized 1,150 pounds of opiumduring a drug interdiction operation in the Reg-e Khan Neshin district ofHelmand province. The ISAF patrol discovered the drugs after stopping andsearching a vehicle traveling along a known narcotics smuggling route. ISAFtroops detained the driver and destroyed the opium.