Afghan forces arrest Taliban financer in Paktiya

Afghan and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces arrested a Taliban movement financer in Paktiya. According to Afghan news agency (Khaama Press) reporting from a NATO statement, the financier extorted money and supplies from local villagers to fund Taliban operations. He also directed improvised explosive device attacks throughout the district. During the operation, the security force also detained multiple suspects and seized several firearms, the statement added. Separately, Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Balkh province. The Taliban leader is believed to be responsible for conducting numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. In Jani Khel district, an Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) unit conducted an operation to arrest a group of armed insurgents, and was able to kill and arrest many while confiscating a large number of weapons.