Top Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Leader in Afghanistan Captured
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-04-S-064  KABUL, Afghanistan (April 22, 2011) – A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured the senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, or IMU, leader in Afghanistan, along with two of his associates, during a security operation in Khanabad district, Kunduz province, April 20.  The Afghan and coalition force targeted the leader after multiple weeks of intelligence gathering and coordination with Afghan security forces. They tracked him to a location in Khanabad district. After clearing several locations, the force captured the leader and one of his associates at a compound in the area. At a nearby location, another individual with suspected ties to the IMU network was also detained. The operation was conducted with no shots fired.  The targeted leader is a key conduit between the senior IMU leadership in Pakistan and senior Taliban leadership in Afghanistan. He assisted both groups by directing insurgent movement for training and operations between the two countries, coordinating suicide, explosive device, and mortar attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout northern Afghanistan. He escaped from a Pakistan prison in 2010 and also assisted others in escaping from incarceration, including paying bribes for their release.  Afghan and coalition forces have conducted multiple operations targeting the IMU as the insurgent network has increased its presence in northern Afghanistan over the past year. The IMU has directed suicide attacks against Afghan government officials and direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces and civilians.   In the previous 50 days, combined forces killed more than 20 IMU insurgents. Four of them were senior IMU leaders, including Bilal Konduzi, the previous overall leader for the IMU in Afghanistan.  The operations against the IMU are part of a broader campaign to disrupt and defeat insurgent networks throughout the country.   Earlier this year, IMU leaders in Pakistan established two overall leaders for Afghanistan. Following repeated losses and high profile captures by Afghan and coalition forces, one leader departed Afghanistan, fleeing to Pakistan, leaving the commander targeted April 20 as the sole IMU leader for Afghanistan.