Regional Command South

URUZGAN, Afghanistan (July 6, 2011)- Afghan National Police and their Australian Special Forces partners have captured a prominent insurgent bomb maker and several associates in a targeted operation in Uruzgan’s Mirabad Valley.

On 2 July 2011, members of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) partnered with the Provincial Response Company Uruzgan (PRC-U) conducted a cordon and search operation in a known insurgent area and detained nine individuals, one who was positively identified as a senior district level insurgent commander.

The Commanding Officer of the SOTG (who cannot be named for operational security reasons) said the detention of the insurgent commander would further disrupt the insurgency in southern Afghanistan.

“The man was a significant threat to friendly forces and the local population, a key improvised explosive device facilitator and commander of many insurgent fighters,” Commanding Officer SOTG said.

“He was well connected to the senior insurgent leadership and led attacks in heavily populated areas of the province.”

The insurgent will be transferred to the US-run Detention Facility in Parwan Province to await prosecution through the Afghan judicial system.

“We have been tracking this individual for several months and the outcomes of his capture will be significant. Removing insurgent leaders from Uruzgan has a considerable impact on insurgent operations in the province,” Commanding Officer SOTG said. Combined SOTG and PRC-U operations have led to the removal of 23 senior insurgent leaders since March 2011.