April 8, 2012, Afghan Interior Affairs Ministry officials say in the past 24 hours Afghan military and police forces killed 16 Mujahideen, and captured 26.

The battles took place in Nangarhar, Faryab, Farah, Badakhshan, Kandahar, Ghazni, Khost and Paktika provinces.  They also seized 2,090 kilograms (4,607.7 pounds) of drugs.

In Baghlan Province, Afghan officials claim to have captured two “prominent Taliban leaders”. Officials believe the “leaders” were responsible for the assassination of a police chief in Kunduz Province.

“Taliban” spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said the two “leaders” are not connected to his group.

Afghan police said one of their vehicles hit a mine in Baghlan Province, but no one was hurt.

USMC General John R. Allen signed a deal with Afghan Minister for Defense Abdul Rahim Wardak.  The deal turns over to the Afghan government forces, the lead role in Special Military Operations, such as night time raids.

“The Afghan Special Operations Units have developed at extraordinary speed and are manned by courageous and capable operators.  In large measure, this MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] is a result of the professionalism of the National Directorate of Security and the Afghan National Security Forces. We also recognize the growing capacity of the Afghan judicial system which will play a vital part not only in the implementation of this agreement but also in the lives of Afghan citizens.”-General John R. Allen, U.S. Marine Corps