ISAF targets another IMU commander in Baghlan

After a lull in raids against the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in the Afghan north, ISAF has stepped up operations there over the past several days. ISAF and Afghan special operations forces launched another raid against the IMU, again in the Burkah district in Baghlan:

Afghan and coalition security forces targeted an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) leader, detaining one suspected insurgent during security operations in Burkah district, Baghlan province, yesterday.

The IMU leader is also a liaison to the Taliban network in Kunduz. He maintains facilitation connections to IMU contacts throughout the region. He also coordinates the movement of insurgents throughout Northern Afghanistan. He, along with other IMU and Taliban leaders, have gathered in the district to plan the upcoming Spring Offensive against Afghan and coalition forces.

The security force advanced to the targeted compound where they called for the residents to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The suspected insurgent was detained after initial questioning at the scene for involvement in insurgent activity.

Two days ago, ISAF and Afghan troops killed two senior IMU commanders in an airstrike in Samangan, and captured another in Balkh. And on March 8, the combined teams targeted another IMU commander, again in the Burkah district in Baghlan.

For more on the IMU, its links to al Qaeda and the Taliban, and its operations in the Afghan north and in Pakistan, see LWJ report, ISAF kills, captures IMU leaders in Afghan north.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

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1 Comment

  • Uzbekistan says:

    ISAF forces are doing a good job but it is very important that the co operation of the local citizens must be encouraged to handle the activities of IMU of Uzbekistan. Government of Uzbekistan is responsible for creating a terrorist organization by denying justice to its citizens.

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