ISAF and Afghan special operations teams again targeted the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan during a raid in the northern Afghan province of Samangan. From an ISAF press release that was issued yesterday:
An Afghan and coalition security force targeted an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in the Dara Soof Payan District, Samangan province today. The leader is responsible for direct attacks and IED attacks targeting Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition security forces. He is involved in the construction, facilitation and employment of IEDs in the Samangan province.
Based on local tips the joint security force targeted a compound where Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan activity was suspected. The security force isolated the compound and cleared the building. After questioning, the force apprehended several suspected Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan insurgents. Security forces also found and destroyed an AK-47, one pistol and a variety of ammunition.
Just three days ago, ISAF noted that the IMU runs training camps in Samangan and neighboring Balkh province. On March 18, ISAF stated that “suicide training camps” were in operation in the neighboring province of Sar-i-Pul. Special operations teams are clearly making a push to dismantle these IMU camps as well as IMU “safe havens” in the Burkah district in the northern province of Kunduz.
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