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TALIBAN INSURGENT COMMANDER KILLED BY AUSTRALIAN SPECIAL FORCES

A senior Taliban insurgent commander, who was a known improvised explosive device facilitator, has been killed in a recent operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by Australian troops.

The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, said with the phase of that operation now complete, it could be announced that Mullah Amanullah Akhund had been killed after a combined Australian/Afghan patrol was fired on by insurgents.

Akhund was one of three men killed when the patrol returned fire. He was known to have made and placed road-side bombs in Oruzgan province, in southern Afghanistan. All three men were found with large quantities of ammunition, Taliban printed material, and communications equipment.

“Through his actions, as an improvised explosive device facilitator, Akhund is known to have targeted Australian, coalition and Afghan troops,” Lieutenant General Evans said.

“His removal, as a leader of insurgents, will continue to disrupt the Taliban’s network and its operations, especially in the lead up to Presidential and Provincial Council elections next month.

“As improvised explosive devices are responsible for a large number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, the removal of Akhund will help improve the security and safety of our troops and innocent Afghans.”

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664