Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2012 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Kot district of Afghanistan’s Faryab province today, military officials reported.

The sought-after leader is an explosives expert and suicide-attack network facilitator who targets senior Afghan government officials throughout the Almar district, officials said.

During the operation, two insurgents exited a building and fired at the security force, officials said. Several remaining insurgents barricaded themselves inside the building and also opened fire. The security force returned fire, killing the insurgents.

The security force confiscated several assault rifles, eight grenades, four chest racks, a machine gun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

No civilians were injured during the operation.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

— Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents in the Tagab district of Kapisa province.

— Coalition forces killed an insurgent in the Tagab district of Kapisa province.

— Afghan police detained five people suspected of poisoning water sources in the Sabari district of Khost province.

— Afghan police and soldiers detained a man who had a shotgun, a pistol and ammunition in the Sharan district of Paktika province.

In Jan. 23 operations:

— An Afghan-led and coalition-supported force detained two suspects and seized weapons and weapons parts during a search for a weapons dealer and facilitator in the Tarin Kwot district of Uruzgan province.

— In the Dand district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained one suspect and seized two drug caches totalling about 22,000 pounds of hashish.

Source:Department of Defense