Afghan, coalition forces roll up IED operatives

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

08.15.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL- The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of several lower-level insurgents involved in the manufacture and emplacement of improvised explosion devices used against Afghan civilians, as well as Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan and coalition forces captured the Taliban and Haqqani Network insurgents during multiple operations throughout Afghanistan.

Evidence collected at scenes directly linked the individuals to at least 16 separate IED attacks.

A new United Nations report shows civilian causalities have soared in Afghanistan, due to increased IED activity. The report counted 1,271 civilian deaths and 1,997 injuries during the first half of the year, largely due to an increase in IED activity.

"The devastating human impact of the Taliban and Haqqani Network's callous IED attacks is obvious," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.

"The first half of the year saw an alarming 55 percent increase of children killed or injured by Taliban attacks when compared to the same time last year. The insurgents don't care about Afghan safety or prosperity, only of instilling their violent and oppressive ideology."

More than 100 insurgent leaders involved in the facilitation, manufacture and emplacement of IEDs were captured or killed in the last several months, along with their suspected associates. Afghan and coalition forces determined four of these lower-level associates captured in Helmand province over the last four months were linked to 13 separate IED attacks or attempted attacks.

In northern Kunduz province, evidence collected after an operation July 20, directly linked an IED maker to a pressure plate IED attack in April that occurred less than three kilometers from where he was captured. Additionally, several other IED related incidents had occurred in the immediate area over the last two years.

Just this week, one detainee captured in Paktiya province was linked to two separate IED attacks. During the Afghan-led operation, he attempted to disguise himself by dressing in women's attire to evade capture.

"The targeted individuals for these operations are often Taliban and Haqqani mid- and senior-level commanders and facilitators, but the capture of the lower-level fighters responsible for the actual manufacture and emplacement of IEDs is just as important," said Torres. "We're happy to know these operations are rolling up a large number of these criminals as well."

• Date Taken: 08.15.2010
• Date Posted: 08.15.2010 07:30
• Story ID: 54606
• Location: KABUL, AF