Afghan-International Security Force Interdicts Taliban IED Facilitator in Zabul; militants in Khowst and Logar

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 7) - Afghan-international security forces

killed an enemy militant and detained a few suspected militants in Zabul

Province, one of which was a Taliban IED facilitator operating out of

Qalat City. This facilitator was responsible for financial support of

militant activities and the transport of IED materials and weapons into

the area.

The joint security force targeted a compound on the west side of Qalat

City which credible intelligence reported as a location known

historically to be used by Taliban commanders.

Since the compound was close to an ANP station, the joint force

coordinated with the police chief to accompany and assist with the

operation. When the police chief called for occupants to exit the

compound, the joint force received hostile fire and returned fire,

killing one militant.

The joint force searched the compound and detained the suspected

militants, one of whom surrendered and identified himself as the Taliban

IED facilitator. He was discovered hiding in a building later discovered

to be a Red Cross office on the compound. Further questioning of the

Taliban facilitator revealed that he is relative of a local Red Cross

employee.

In a separate operation, another joint force detained several suspected

militants in Khowst Province, one of which was a sought-after Haqqani

facilitator responsible for the financial and logistical support of

militant activities in the area.

The joint force targeted the compounds near Now Deh village in the

Sabari District after intelligence indicated militant activity. The

joint force searched the compounds without incident and detained six

suspected militants. The force later identified one of the six as the

Haqqani facilitator. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

In a third operation, a joint security force detained a few suspected

militants in Logar Province after searching a compound known to be used

by a Haqqani financier with numerous ties to militant elements in the

area.

The joint security force targeted the compound in the Baraki Barak

District after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint

force searched the compound without incident and detained the suspected

militants. No shots were fire and no one was injured