Afghan, Coalition Forces Target 2 Haqqani Network Facilitators in Khost
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-03-S-013 For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (March 4, 2011) — Afghan and coalition forces killed Usman Ghani, a Haqqani network facilitator, detained 10 suspected insurgents and killed three Afghan males, who threatened the security force during an operation targeting Haqqani network leaders in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, yesterday.  Usman Ghani was a Haqqani network facilitator who operated in the district where he was responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan National Army and coalition forces. According to recent intelligence reports he was responsible for an IED attack against an Afghan and coalition force convoy in Khost district March 2 and had knowledge of other insurgents placing IEDs on a district roadway for an attack against Afghan and coalition convoys that use the route.  Intelligence reports led the security force to the targeted compound in the district. As the joint security force arrived at the targeted compound they observed one armed insurgent fleeing from the target compound. The security force followed the fleeing armed insurgent who engaged the security force with small arms fire. The armed insurgent who was later identified as Usman Ghani was killed by the security force. An AK-47 was recovered by the security force at the scene.  The security force secured the targeted compound and conducted a search. Two suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning at the scene.  Multiple intelligence sources led the security force to an adjacent compound where a second Haqqani network facilitator was suspected to be located. The second Haqqani network facilitator according to recent intelligence reports built two IEDs for an attack against Afghan and coalition forces. He operates in the district where he is responsible for IED attacks against Afghan National Army and coalition forces. He was in direct contact with Usman Ghani.  While attempting to secure the adjacent compound, one Afghan male ran out of the building into the courtyard toward the security force in a threatening manner wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest resulting in the male being killed by the security force. Immediately following, two other men exited the building also running toward the security forces in a threatening manner which resulted in the two men being shot and killed.  Eight suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning at the adjacent compound for involvement in insurgent activity.