Forces capture insurgents, weapons

NANGARHAR, Afghanistan – Afghan and international forces captured a Taliban subcommander and several other militants Tuesday in operations in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Helmand provinces, military officials said.

In Nangarhar, the combined force searched a compound in a rural area of the Khogyani district after intelligence information indicated militant activity there, and captured a Taliban subcommander involved in kidnappings, weapons purchases and reconnaissance of coalition forces.

The security force also detained another insurgent after he and another man approached the force. One of the armed men was killed after he rushed the force, ignoring demands to surrender, and pointed a weapon at them. The other insurgent surrendered.

Iraqi forces arrest 5 suspected terrorists

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested five men suspected of carrying out attacks for two terrorist groups operating in Iraq, military officials said.

Iraqi security forces arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq attack-cell member Wednesday in Taji, about 15 miles north of Baghdad.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspect believed to have provided safe haven for other terrorists and to have planned bomb attacks against security forces. After a preliminary investigation, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal associates.

Tuesday, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested two suspected Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorist group members in southeastern Baghdad.

The combined force was searching for a suspected Jaysh al-Mahdi commander believed to be involved in assassinations, kidnappings and bombing attacks targeting security forces. Iraqi forces arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted man following a preliminary investigation.