Media Room: Media Releases

KEY TALIBAN LEADERS CAPTURED, ATTACKS ON ELECTION PREPARATIONS DISRUPTED

Afghan National Security Forces and Australian-led coalition elements have successfully targeted and disrupted Taliban insurgent efforts to conduct attacks utilising improvised explosive devices within central and eastern Oruzgan. Improvised explosive devices pose a significant threat to election security in the province.

In a carefully conducted operation last weekend, four Taliban leaders were captured in a major cordon and sweep operation in the Muzazai and Kushkel districts, near Tarin Kowt.

The first phase of the operation was swiftly executed and no shots were fired. The second phase resulted in several small skirmishes but there were no Afghan or coalition forces wounded during the engagement. Overall, Afghanistan and coalition security forces successfully executed a well coordinated operation that demonstrated the commitment and ability to provide security for the local population.

The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans said the capture of the four Taliban insurgent leaders would have a significant impact on the Taliban’s ability to conduct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces leading up the 20^th of August Presidential and Provincial elections.

“The operation has achieved a significant effect for the people in central and eastern Oruzgan province by removing dissident elements and this will assist in facilitating the conduct of peaceful elections. The psychological impact of the loss of these leaders on the Taliban network is also not to be understated,” LTGEN Evans said.

“The four insurgents were active improvised explosive device facilitators and disruption to their actions in laying road-side bombs will be positive for the Afghan people.”

There were no civilians injured as part of the operation.

The Taliban leaders and a number of insurgent support personnel have been processed and handed over to the Afghan authorities.

LTGEN Evans said the operation also discovered ammunition and IED components.

“Afghan and coalition forces have seized hand-grenades, Rocket Propelled Grenade rounds and launchers, magazines and ammunition, radios, batteries and IED components. Some have been recovered for further investigation while weapons and ammunition have been destroyed.

“The combined operation has undoubtedly had an impact on insurgent activities and plans to conduct attacks during the election. The protection of the people of Oruzgan has been aided by the actions taken. Insurgent leaders will continue to be targeted to ensure the safe conduct of elections.”

The security operation has come after members of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force have been confronted with multiple explosive devices in the past week. There is a high threat of road-side bombs in Oruzgan province and Afghan and coalition forces remain on alert for a continuation of attacks leading up the election.

Media note: Further information on Operation SLIPPER can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opslipper/

Archived imagery of the following is also available.

Special Operations Task Group members conduct interdiction and disruption tasks deep in Taliban territory with the aim to target their command and control networks and degrade their ability to facilitate the laying of improvised explosive devices.

http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opslipper/images/gallery/2008/1211/20070528adf8161479_022.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opslipper/images/gallery/2008/1211/20080610adf8115142_026.jpg

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