Coalition Forces Capture 13 Militants, Disrupt Insurgency

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2008 - Coalition forces apprehended 13 militants and disrupted insurgent operations yesterday in Afghanistan's Paktia province, coalition officials reported.

The troops searched compounds in the Zadran district as part of an operation to disrupt the Haqqani terrorist network, which has trained militant fighters, stockpiled weapons and built explosives in the area, officials said.

In the course of the operation, one suspect suffered a head injury while resisting coalition troops. He was treated at a coalition hospital. In addition, several AK-47 assault rifles, ammunition and ammunition vests were confiscated and destroyed or removed.

Also yesterday, coalition forces identified three insurgents detained last month in Afghanistan's Khowst, Helmand and Zabul provinces.

The insurgents, identified as Rahman Gul, Mullah Ikhlas and Mullah Salim, were apprehended during three separate operations targeting anti-government militants.

Salim, also known as Daru Khan, was detained April 14 during operations in Qalat district, Zabul province. He conducted attacks against coalition forces and civilians, coalition officials said.

Ikhlas, also known as Abdul Khaliq, was detained April 14 in Garmser district, Helmand province. A militant facilitator and financier, he was found in a compound that held two U.S. AT-4 anti-tank weapons, a rocket-propelled grenade and two rifles, officials said.

Gul was detained April 20 in Bak district, Khowst province. As a member of roadside-bomb cell, he led attacks against coalition forces, officials said. He was captured in a compound where RPG warheads and boosters, a mortar base plate and ammunition were discovered.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases).

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