KABUL, Afghanistan (Aug. 20, 2012) — An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today.

The
leader acted as a go-between for senior Taliban leadership in Helmand
province communicating orders for attacks to subordinate Taliban
fighters in the area. He also oversaw the emplacement and activation of
improvised explosive devices in the area so insurgents were able to
operate safely.

The security force also detained one suspected insurgent, and seized more than $3,400 in cash during the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An
Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected
insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Kandahar
district, Kandahar province, today. The Taliban leader is responsible
for directing the emplacement of improvised explosive devices in
Panjwa’i and Zharay districts.

East

Afghan
and coalition forces confirmed today that one of the insurgents killed
in a precision airstrike in Watahpur district, Kunar province, Friday
was the al-Qaeda associated Taliban leader Yasir. Yasir organized and
conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and was involved
in the Aug. 8 suicide attack in Asadabad district, which killed three
U.S. soldiers and a U.S. civilian. Several other insurgents were also
killed in the operation.

In Mohammad Aghah district, Logar
province, an Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected
insurgents during an operation to arrest a Haqqani arms supplier today.
The Haqqani arms supplier provides weapons, explosives, and improvised
explosive device components to Haqqani fighters throughout the province.