Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban improvised explosive device facilitator during an operation in Zabul province yesterday targeting terrorist networks in the Shah Joy and Qalat Districts.

The forces detained the facilitator and several additional suspects in the Qalat District based on the targeted individual’s association with building, transporting and emplacing IEDs for use in attacks on coalition and Afghan National Army forces.

Video by 455th Air Expeditionary Wing

A joint Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Force patrol killed several insurgents during an operation targeting two Taliban leaders in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, yesterday.

The two Taliban leaders are active in facilitating and conducting attacks against Afghan security forces and ISAF. The first leader has been involved in improvised explosive device facilitation and attacks in Nad ‘Ali District. The other target is a Taliban tactical leader who is active in the emplacement of explosive devices and direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan and coalition forces captured a Taliban leader during a security operation in Wardak province Dec. 16.

The captured leader was involved in the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices and conducting attacks against coalition forces operating in Sayyidabad and Jaghatu districts. Recent reporting indicates that he reported to an unidentified associate that his associates shot several Americans in the Jaghatu district.

Staff Sgt. Alexander Yessayan said he's not a hero, and you might just believe him unless you talk to anyone who knows him, or he begrudgingly tells you about what happened more than a year ago in Afghanistan.

Those who know him use words like humble, straight shooter and, yes, hero to describe Sergeant Yessayan after his actions Nov. 29, 2009, while conducting route reconnaissance to find a better way to access a remote village.

A joint Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Force patrol detained a kidnapper during an operation in Paghman district, Kabul province, yesterday.

Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led the joint patrol to a series of compounds associated with the targeted individual. The force surrounded the compound and then Afghan security forces conducted a call-out, allowing all occupants to exit peacefully. The force separated and protected the women and children.

The Afghan people are the most important factor in the fight against the Taliban. A fact well known by the Marines of 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, who are battling the Taliban and protecting the people of Karimanda.

“We’ve been hunting the enemy through the people. Right now we’ve established a great relationship with the people and it’s only continuing to grow,” said Sgt. David Ketron, a squad leader with Company A.

Thanks to improving technology, the Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company E, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, have made improvements in route clearance in Basra, Iraq.

The Soldiers in 1st Platoon are taking advantage of relatively new technology, such as the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Video by American Forces Network Afghanistan