Diggers raid Taliban bases

[grendel]

Australian troops hit Taliban bases

Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:26pm AEDT
Updated Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:32pm AEDT

Australian Special Forces soldiers have broken up several Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan, seizing weapons and other equipment, the Defence Force says.

Last month's raid of insurgent bases by the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and Afghan and Coalition forces resulted in the seizure of weapons, munitions and components used in making improvised explosive devices.

The soldiers also recovered stolen Afghan army uniforms and 100 kilograms of opium resin.

The Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, Major-General Mark Kelly, said the operation sent a clear message to the Taliban.

"This stronghold has, until now, provided a secure base area from which to sustain the insurgency throughout southern Afghanistan," he said.

"What this operation says very clearly to the insurgency is that it doesn't matter where you are, we can find you and strike you."

"It also highlights our commitment to using the full suite of our Special Forces to protect the local population, ADF elements and to work in partnership with other coalition forces."

About 1,500 Australian soldiers are in Afghanistan.

source

... After weeks of planning and mission rehearsals, a massive raid on insurgent warehouses yielded weapons, bombs, drugs and other supplies vital for the enemy effort in southern Afghanistan.

More than 100 troops from the Perth-based SAS and Commando Regiments, Afghan National Army soldiers and more than a dozen patrol and armoured vehicles were involved in the operation during several days.

They targeted a command centre in the "green zone" of a small river valley about 30km from the main base at Camp Holland, north of Tarin Kowt.

The raiding party had support from mortars, coalition jet fighters and attack and Chinook transport helicopters during the complex mission last month.

Defence images from the operation released yesterday show troops and vehicles preparing to attack.

The troops seized weapons including improvised explosive devices, bomb-making equipment, small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

They uncovered 100kg of opium resin and stolen medical supplies and other equipment that had been taken from Afghan forces....

the rest of the article



image gallery

[JamesW]

Thanks for story. I'd seen the photos, but wasn't sure if there was an article to go with it.

[goat89]

Nicely done Diggers!

[Hypno85]

Good job Diggers!

[2495]

Originally Posted by goat89

Nicely done Diggers!

Originally Posted by Hypno85

Good job Diggers!

X3.

Nice to read some good news - balances it all out a little bit more.

[Uboj]

Good Job, great images there also.

[Migs]

I love diggers