REPORT FROM AFGHANISTAN JUNE 12, 2012

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Helicopter Crash Kills 2 ISAF Members in Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2012 - Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan today, military officials reported.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, officials said.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities, officials said.

Also today, an Afghan and coalition security force requested an airstrike that killed several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Afghanistan's Logar province.

Insurgents attacked the combined force with small-arms fire and a grenade. The security force returned fire and requested a precision airstrike. Several insurgents were killed and the security force seized some weapons and a quantity of explosives.

The security force also discovered two women who had sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The security force provided medical assistance and transported both women to a medical facility for treatment.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In the Taloqan district of Takhar province, a combined force detained an al-Qaida facilitator who'd served as a financier and liaison between al-Qaida leaders.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and one suspect in the Daman district of Kandahar province. The detained insurgent leader was responsible for the construction, distribution and placement of improvised explosive devices used in attacks against coalition and Afghan forces.

TALIBAN LEADER CAPTURED

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS RELEASE

Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 11, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in the Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The leader coordinated roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Zharay and Panjwai districts, officials said. He also provided insurgents with weapons and ammunition.

The security force also detained an additional insurgent.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force detained multiple suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province. The leader provides insurgents with weapons, ammunition and equipment, and he coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also attempts to tax Afghans in the area to provide financial support for his network.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized an 82 mm mortar while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province. The facilitator provides weapons and equipment to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.