Afghan, Coalition Troops Arrest Taliban Facilitator

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 4, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in the Dand district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The facilitator is believed to have arranged transportation of weapons and improvised explosive devices throughout the province for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also allegedly has ordered executions and kidnappings of Afghan civilians working with government officials.

Also today, a combined force in Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district detained several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who is believed to direct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is an expert in the construction and use of IEDs and has directed acquisition and distribution of weapons to insurgents.

In Jowzjan province’s Shibirghan district yesterday, a combined force killed an insurgent during a search for a Taliban facilitator responsible for providing financial aid throughout multiple provinces, collecting taxes for the Taliban, overseeing a network of Taliban tax collectors and coordinating financial matters with other Taliban leaders. He also is involved in providing weapons for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.