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URUZGAN, Afghanistan (March 30, 2011) -The Afghan police and their Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) partners have captured two prominent Taliban targets in a single day. Concurrent operations on 27 March 2011 between members of the SOTG and the Provincial Response Company-Uruzgan (PRC-U) resulted in a high value target captured in Mirabad, and another in Deh Rafshan. The commander of Austrailan Forces in the Middle East, Major General Angus Campbell, said capturing two objectives is keeping the pressure on the insurgency and restricting their operations. “Special Forces operations in March alone have resulted in four key targets no longer...

WASHINGTON, March 30, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents yesterday in the Mohammad Aghah district of Afghanistan’s Logar province, military officials reported. Troops were searching for a Taliban leader responsible for planning, coordinating and carrying out attacks against security forces. In other operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan: -- Security forces detained two suspected Taliban insurgents while targeting a Taliban safe haven for facilitating homemade explosives and explosive devices in Logar province’s Baraki Barak district. -- Afghan and coalition forces in Khost province’s Sabari district captured a Haqqani network terrorist leader who has conducted artillery and bombing attacks...

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces killed two armed militants and detained numerous suspected insurgents, including a Taliban leader, today in the Daman district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, military officials reported. The Taliban leader is linked to car bombings and assassination attempts of Afghan civilians, government officials and security forces. Tips from local residents led troops to his location, where one armed militant brandished a weapon and tried to flee. Troops opened fire, killing two militants during the engagement. Security forces also confiscated several small-arms weapons and associated ammunitions. In other news today throughout Afghanistan: -- Security...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents, including Taliban leaders and Haqqani network terrorists, in operations today throughout Afghanistan, military officials reported. -- Forces captured several Haqanni terrorists for weapons trafficking and targeting attacks on security forces in Khost province’s Terayzai district. -- In Baghlan province’s Burkah district, troops apprehended two suspected insurgents in an operation to prevent enemy fighters from using a particular location to stage attacks. -- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban weapons trafficker responsible for supplying enemy fighters with explosive devices in Logar province’s Baraki Barak district. -- Security...

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces detained at least 15 suspected insurgents, including several Taliban leaders and foreign fighters, in operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan, military officials reported. -- In the Sholgarah district of Balkh province, troops captured an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist leader and three associates for alleged involvement in training camps and trafficking foreign fighters, as well as launching attacks on security forces. -- Afghan and coalition forces in Kandahar province’s Ghorak district detained five suspected insurgents, including a Taliban leader responsible for procuring and distributing bomb-making materials throughout Helmand and Kandahar provinces. -- Security...

A woman who fled to Nigeria after a fire at her west Houston day care killed four children last month has surrendered to authorities, her brother said Saturday. Jessica Tata faces 14 charges, including four counts of manslaughter, in connection with the Feb. 24 blaze at Jackie's Child Care. Officials have said that Tata, 22, left seven children unattended and oil cooking on the stove while she shopped at Target. She fled to Nigeria before being charged. Her brother, Ron Tata, 26, said she turned herself in around 11 a.m. Saturday. According to his relatives in Nigeria, workers at the...

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces captured two Haqqani network terrorists and detained several other suspected insurgents yesterday in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province, military officials reported. Security forces found the terrorists based on tips from local residents, officials said. In other operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan: -- Security forces detained several suspected insurgents, including a Haqqani network terrorist linked to planning suicide bombings, indoctrination of network members and training, in Paktika province’s Orgun district. -- Troops detained several suspected insurgents, including a Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin terrorist leader who leads a large group of foreign and...

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces captured several suspected insurgents, including two Haqqani terrorist network leaders and a Taliban weapons trafficker, yesterday in Afghanistan, military officials reported. Based on intelligence reports from local residents, forces detained the two Haqqani terrorists along with several other suspects in Khost province’s Sabari district. One Haqqani terrorist is an alleged explosive device trafficker, while the other reportedly is responsible for smuggling other types of weapons and money throughout the province. In operations March 5 throughout Afghanistan: -- Forces killed two insurgents, including a local Taliban leader linked to weapons trafficking, in...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 25, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader and improvised explosive device manufacturer during a security operation in Wardak province yesterday. The Taliban leader operated in Sayyidabad district where he had direct contact with other Taliban leaders for the province. Recent reporting indicates he provided instructions to Taliban insurgents on how to mix explosive device chemicals for future attacks. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the Taliban leader based...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 25, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban facilitator for Toto village, Sherzad district during a security operation in Nangarhar province yesterday. The Taliban facilitator was responsible for supplying weapons for attacks on Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces in Sherzad and Khugyani districts under the guidance of the Sherzad district Taliban shadow governor and Nangarhar province Taliban shadow governor. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Behsud district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the Taliban facilitator...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 24, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader responsible for suicide attacks, along with two suspected insurgents during a security operation in Kandahar province yesterday. The Taliban leader operated in Maiwand district where he was responsible for coordinating and conducting improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces. He is associated with other Taliban leaders in the province. Recent reporting indicates he had started building a suicide vest for an upcoming attack in the area. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district, where Afghan and coalition forces conducted a search after...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 23, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained a Haqqani Network leader who operates in Tanai district along with six suspected insurgents during a security operation in Khost province yesterday. The Haqqani Network leader conducted improvised explosive device attacks against coalition force convoys along a local route in Tanai. He was in direct contact with other Haqqani Network leaders in the area before his detention. Recent reporting indicates he placed IEDs along various roads throughout the district targeting Afghan National Army and coalition force vehicles. These IEDs reportedly detonated on an ANA patrol vehicle. Security forces followed...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 22, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban improvised explosive device leader along with one suspected insurgent during a security operation in Zabul province yesterday. The now-detained Taliban leader and improvised-explosive-device emplacer was responsible for the movement of IED materials and emplacing IEDs specifically targeting coalition vehicles along Highway 1. He operated primarily in Qalat district and has ties with other Taliban in the district. Highway 1 connects many of southern Afghanistan’s provinces. This operation is one of many over the past two months focusing on IED operations in the Zabul area. Security forces followed...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 22, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban facilitator who operates in both Logar and Paktiya provinces during a security operation in Logar province yesterday. The Taliban facilitator operated in both Logar’s Pul-e ‘Alam district and Paktiya’s Gardez district where he distributes equipment to Taliban insurgents. He was closely associated with Taliban leaders in the area. Recent reporting indicates he planned to provide another Taliban insurgent with improvised explosive device components for a future attack. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Pul-e ‘Alam district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 21, 2011) — The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the Gardez Taliban district leader was detained during an Afghan and coalition operation in Paktiya province Jan. 18. The Taliban leader was also involved in improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces within the province. He maintains ties with several other Taliban leaders. Recent reporting indicates he was planning to transfer weapons from a cache for an upcoming attack.

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 18) – Afghan and coalition forces detained a Haqqani Network leader along with several suspected insurgents during a security operation in Khost province yesterday. The Haqqani Network leader was responsible for conducting ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces operating in Khost and Terayzai districts of the province. He reported directly to other Haqqani Network leaders in the area. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Khost district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The Haqqani...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 17, 2011) — Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces detained an alleged Taliban leader as well as improvised explosive device expert and an associate during a security operation in Kabul district, Kabul province yesterday. The targeted Taliban leader and his associate are known to have been involved in rocket attacks and direct fire attacks against Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF in Baghlan and surrounding provinces. They are also reported to have ties to IED facilitators in Pakistan and are suspected in the murder of several civilians and government officials. The pair were arrested by...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 16) - International Security Assistance Force confirmed a Taliban leader who operates out of Maiwand district was detained during an Afghan and coalition operation in Kandahar province Jan. 14. The Taliban leader was responsible for planning and coordinating attacks against Afghan and coalition forces as well as the movement of weapons and improvised explosive device components. He has direct ties to other Taliban leaders in Kandahar province. Recent reporting indicates he conducted over watch on a possible IED attack and had insurgents prepare two IEDs for an upcoming attack.

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 10, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained a senior Taliban leader along with several suspected insurgents during a security operation in Gulistan district of Farah province yesterday. The now detained insurgent was the senior Taliban leader for Bakwah district. He receives large sums of money from foreign fighter insurgent groups. He also plans, coordinates and participates in attacks against coalition forces. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team detained the targeted...

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 9) – Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader along with four suspected insurgents during a security operation in Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province yesterday. The Taliban leader is responsible for supplying insurgents in his group with weapons, emplacement of improvised explosive devices and attacks against checkpoints and civilian targets in the district. He maintains direct contact with other Taliban leaders in the area. Recent reporting indicates he planned to attack a school and checkpoint in Singzai village of Spin Boldak district. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in Panjwa’i district, where Afghan forces...