Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Would-be Suicide Bombers

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From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 5, 2012 – Afghan and coalition forces killed several would-be suicide bombers and detained additional insurgents during a security operation in the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan’s Wardak province today, military officials reported. As the security force approached, several armed insurgents maneuvered toward the Afghan and coalition troops. After positively identifying the lethal threat, the security force engaged them. During the exchange, homemade explosives within the compound detonated, killing the suicide attack planners inside. The insurgents were believed to be in the advanced stages of preparing for a suicide-bomb attack against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force seized suicide vests, firearms, grenades, containers of homemade explosives, blasting caps and weapon accessories. No civilians were harmed. In other operations today around Afghanistan: -- A precision airstrike in Logar province’s Muhammad Aghah district killed two insurgents. After positively identifying the insurgents burying an improvised explosive device and ensuring no civilians were in the area, Afghan and coalition forces engaged with a precision airstrike, killing the insurgents. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and no civilian property was damaged. -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force in Faryab province’s Dowlatabad district killed several heavily armed insurgents after being fired upon during an operation to arrest a senior Taliban leader believed to be responsible for facilitating, planning and coordinating improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, mines and various IED-making materials. No civilians were harmed in the exchange. -- A combined force in Helmand province’s Now Zad district arrested a Taliban leader believed to be coordinating and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also was suspected of working toward acquiring weapons and ammunition while planning an attack on an Afghan village. The security force also detained several other insurgents and seized a firearm. In operations yesterday: -- In the Khugyani district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, Afghan and coalition forces killed a Taliban senior leader and strategist believed to have planned and executed rocket attacks against Afghan and coalition assets. He also is believed to have attacked fuel tankers along the main supply route in Laghman province. More than 20 Taliban insurgents reported directly to him. During the operation, the security force positively identified Khan and others engaging in insurgent activity. After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the security force engaged them with a precision airstrike. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and no civilian property was damaged. -- Afghan and coalition forces conducting a security operation in search of a Taliban leader in Kandahar province’s Zhari district observed a group engaged in insurgent activity. After taking all measures to ensure no civilians were in the area, the security force engaged and killed them. The Taliban leader is suspected of directing attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces, facilitating the movement of weapons throughout the region, and reporting directly to senior Taliban leaders in the district. In Oct. 3 operations: -- Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, killed several enemy fighters and seized a large cache of materials used in making explosives in Zabul province’s Qalat district it was attacked while attempting to disrupt insurgent facilitation routes between Kandahar and Zabul. Following the engagement, the Afghan and coalition force found and destroyed 220 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 220 pounds of ammonium nitrate mixed with aluminum powder, several hand grenades and weapons, and several hundred rounds of ammunition. The force also destroyed five motorcycles it believes were intended for use in suicide-vehicle IED attacks. -- In Logar province’s Baraki Barak district, Provincial Response Company Logar, advised by coalition forces, found and destroyed IED-making materials and weapons. The find included more than a dozen jugs of homemade explosives, 20 antipersonnel mines, 12 rocket-propelled grenades and a mortar tube. In an Oct. 1 operation, Afghan special police and coalition forces detained insurgent leader Muhammad Khan during a raid in Helmand province’s Nad-e Ali district. The captured leader is reputed to head a cell of insurgents and to closely follow the direction of regional Taliban leadership. He is believed to be responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces to facilitate IEDs, weapons and finances for the insurgency.