ID :
15485
Sun, 08/10/2008 - 18:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/15485
The shortlink copeid
Aussie forces capture key Taliban leader
(AAP) Australian special forces have caught a Taliban leader behind a host of bomb attacks in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province, potentially dealing a blow to future terrorist assaults.
The Defence Department revealed that the elite Australian troops last week captured
Mullah Bari Ghul, whom coalition forces believe was a key figure behind extremist
operations in the province.
Defence described Bari Ghul as a key figure in providing equipment, money and
foreign fighters to extremist operations in Oruzgan province.
They also believe him to be involved in coordinating the actions of individual
insurgent cells.
Defence spokesman Brigadier Brian Dawson said his capture was likely to have an
immediate disruptive impact on extremists operating in the province.
"The loss of the one person who knew what was currently underway, what was planned
for the future and had the contacts to gain further support is a significant blow to
the Taliban extremists command and control in the province," Brigadier Dawson said
in a statement.
According to Defence, Bari Ghul carried out the role of a "shadow governor",
responsible for authorising bomb attacks across the province.
"Extremist cells in Afghanistan operate in small isolated groups and only a few key
individuals have any sense of the overall provincial insurgency plan," Brigadier
Dawson said.
He suggested that Bari Ghul could be ultimately responsible for the roadside blasts
which killed Signaller Sean McCarthy last month and Trooper David Pearce last
October.
"Mullah Bari Ghul was directly responsible for the importation of componentry, the
provision of specialists in the construction of IEDs and authorising their
emplacement across the province," Brigadier Dawson said.
"He was also ultimately responsible for the July 13 suicide bomber attack in the Deh
Rawood bazaar that killed 21 Afghans and injured a further 12 (people)."
Bari Ghul has been transported to Tarin Kowt, the capital of the province, and is
being held in a Dutch detention facility.
The Defence Department revealed that the elite Australian troops last week captured
Mullah Bari Ghul, whom coalition forces believe was a key figure behind extremist
operations in the province.
Defence described Bari Ghul as a key figure in providing equipment, money and
foreign fighters to extremist operations in Oruzgan province.
They also believe him to be involved in coordinating the actions of individual
insurgent cells.
Defence spokesman Brigadier Brian Dawson said his capture was likely to have an
immediate disruptive impact on extremists operating in the province.
"The loss of the one person who knew what was currently underway, what was planned
for the future and had the contacts to gain further support is a significant blow to
the Taliban extremists command and control in the province," Brigadier Dawson said
in a statement.
According to Defence, Bari Ghul carried out the role of a "shadow governor",
responsible for authorising bomb attacks across the province.
"Extremist cells in Afghanistan operate in small isolated groups and only a few key
individuals have any sense of the overall provincial insurgency plan," Brigadier
Dawson said.
He suggested that Bari Ghul could be ultimately responsible for the roadside blasts
which killed Signaller Sean McCarthy last month and Trooper David Pearce last
October.
"Mullah Bari Ghul was directly responsible for the importation of componentry, the
provision of specialists in the construction of IEDs and authorising their
emplacement across the province," Brigadier Dawson said.
"He was also ultimately responsible for the July 13 suicide bomber attack in the Deh
Rawood bazaar that killed 21 Afghans and injured a further 12 (people)."
Bari Ghul has been transported to Tarin Kowt, the capital of the province, and is
being held in a Dutch detention facility.
