Media Room: Media Releases

MSPA 175/09                                                                                Thursday, 28 May 2009

TALIBAN LOSE MOMENTUM AS KEY LEADER KILLED

Taliban operations in Oruzgan province continue to be successfully disrupted by combined operations by Afghan and coalition forces with the fourth senior insurgent leader targeted and killed this year.

A key insurgent commander operating in the Deh Rafshan region of the province, Mullah Qasim, was a known improvised explosive device (IED) facilitator.

He was killed on May 24 during a short battle between insurgents and Afghan National Security Forces, supported by soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG).

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said Taliban leadership in Oruzgan province was under constant pressure from Afghan and coalition forces and Qasim’s death would have an impact on the ability of local insurgents to coordinate their actions.

“Qasim facilitated and coordinated the placement of deadly IEDs in the Deh Rafshan area,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

Afghan National Security Force troops and SOTG soldiers located the Taliban insurgent leader in a remote, mountainous area of West Deh Rafshan. He and three of his insurgent followers were killed and several other suspects were captured following a short battle.

The Taliban have been poised to increase their attacks on Afghan and coalition targets following the completion of the opium poppy harvest. This recent operation will impact further on the ability of the Taliban to conduct operations in the province.

This operation has added to the relentless and successful conduct of combined operations by the Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces in Oruzgan province. Through these combined operations, the SOTG and Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force have been involved in numerous contacts with insurgents resulting in the significant disruption to Taliban operations.

Key Taliban leaders that have been successfully targeted this year include Mullah Abdul Rasheed, who was killed during interdiction and disruption operations near the Baluchi Pass in January, Mullah Abdul Bari who was killed in March during a special forces operation in Mirabad, and Mullah Noorulluh who was killed in coalition operations last month.

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664