Haqqani leader captured in east Afghanistan: NATO

Xinhua, November 6, 2011

Afghan and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in east Afghanistan captured Bari Ali, a mid-level Taliban leader, during a cordon and search operation on Thursday, an ISAF press release said on Sunday.

The Afghan National Army (ANA) used loudspeakers and a pre- written script to call out Ali in an effort to have him surrender to coalition forces willingly in Laghman Province, some 260 km east of Afghan capital Kabul.

Ali and two other individuals, one of which was identified as his brother, Roshan Zilmai, surrendered to coalition forces without incident. "The three were detained by Coalition forces and transported to a nearby facility for further questioning," said the statement from ISAF Regional Command-East.

"Ali is known to command Taliban fighters in conflicts with Coalition forces. The capture of Ali is expected to sever the lines of communication between senior level Taliban and low-level insurgents," ISAF believes.

The ANA confiscated weapons, hand grenades, tactical fighting gear and multiple cell phones during the search.

"The operation ended with no injuries or casualties to Coalition forces and civilians and no damage to equipment. Ali remains in the custody of Coalition forces," the press statement claims.

Also on Thursday in Laghman Province, another Haqqani leader Rashid Ahmad Arshad at a traffic control point was captured, as a Saturday ISAF press release said.

The detained Arshad "aided Haqqani by moving weapons and contraband throughout eastern Afghanistan ... Combined forces set- up the traffic control point after receiving information of insurgent movement in the area in Laghman Province."

The ISAF has intensified its operations targeting Haqqani Network, which, loyal to Afghan Taliban, is comparatively active in southeastern Afghanistan and Kabul, after the Network was blamed for the Sept. 13 around-20-hour raid against the U.S. embassy and the ISAF headquarters in Afghan capital Kabul.