Afghan, Coalition Forces Target Leaders in Takhar, Nimroz, Wardak
ISAF Joint Command – Afghanistan 2011-01-S-296 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 26, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces detained more than 10 suspected insurgents and killed several armed combatants during three operations aimed at capturing a high-ranking Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan senior leader and Taliban leadership throughout Afghanistan yesterday.  In Takhar province, Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents and killed several armed combatants during their search for a high-ranking Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan senior leader.  The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader specializes in improvised explosive device attacks against Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials. He also coordinates the district Taliban leader’s movements, distributes funds, facilitates ammunition deliveries and is involved in a drug trafficking network between Badakhshan province and Tajikistan. He maintains close connections with the Taliban shadow governor for Takhar province, al-Qaida facilitators and other Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan insurgents in the area.  Multiple intelligence sources led the security force to the targeted building in Khwajah Ghar district. As the joint security force arrived, armed combatants engaged them with small arms fire. The security force returned fire resulting in several armed combatants being killed.  The building the armed combatants occupied caught fire with multiple explosions occurring inside. The villagers told the security force the Taliban forcibly demanded to use the guesthouse for the night. All local nationals vacated when the Taliban occupied the guesthouse. Security forces cleared the adjacent building protecting six women and 11 children from the fire that was less than 65 feet (20 meters) away.  Two suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning by the security force. The security force assessed multiple AK-47s, grenades and ammunition were inside the guesthouse due to the amount of enemy fire received by the security force.

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UPDATE: ISAF Confirms Status of Insurgent Leaders in Ghazni, Takhar
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-311 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 27, 2011) — The International Security Assistance Force confirmed a Taliban leader was detained and Nurullah Bai, a high-ranking Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, was killed during Afghan and coalition operations in Ghazni and Takhar provinces Jan. 21 and 25 respectively.  The now detained Taliban leader, in addition to being the Gelan district Taliban leader, led a group of insurgents who actively attack Afghan National Security and coalition forces with improvised explosive devices, direct/indirect fires and targets aircraft with heavy machine guns. He was in direct contact with Taliban leaders in the area.  Nurullah Bai was an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader specializing in IED attacks against Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials. He also coordinated the district Taliban leader’s movements, distributes funds, facilitates ammunition deliveries and was involved in a drug trafficking network between Badakhshan province and Tajikistan. He maintained close connections with the Taliban shadow governor for Takhar province, al-Qaida facilitators and other IMU insurgents in the area.  This is an update to IJC News Release #2011-01-S-249/296