DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 144/10
Friday, 30 April 2010
Australian-partnered Afghan soldiers coming to the fore during
intensive week of Operations in Oruzgan
Operations in Oruzgan during the past week have put a serious dent in the Taliban
insurgents’ campaign of fear and intimidation against the local population.
On Anzac Day, as part of Operation PSARLAY ASKAR (SPRING SOLDIER in
Pashtu) an Afghan National Army patrol partnered with the1st Mentoring Task Force,
discovered and safely recovered a large cache of hidden weapons, ammunition and
Improvised Explosive Device components in the Mirabad Valley region.
The large cache contained three 107mm rockets, 27 Rocket Propelled Grenades,
thousands of rounds of ammunition and a small quantity of various small arms and
machine gun ammunition.
Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason
Blain, said the cache find was significant for both its size and that Afghan National
Army troops found, secured and safely removed the items.
“The discovery and capture of this cache demonstrates the ever-improving capability
of the Afghan National Army and it’s a major dent in the insurgent arsenal in the
Mirabad area,” Lieutenant Colonel Blain said.
“We have been mentoring our Afghan National Army partners in counter-Improvised
Explosive Device procedures for some time and their performance in this incident
clearly shows that it is paying off.”
The Afghan and Australian soldiers were clearing a quala (walled housing complex)
when an alert Afghan soldier observed an irregularity in a haystack close to a quala
compound.
Afghan National Army troops secured the location, before Afghan engineers
confirmed the irregularity in the mud floor was suspicious. Using techniques taught
by Australian and Dutch troops over recent weeks, Afghan engineers conducted a
clearance operation revealing the large cache.
In a separate incident on 24 April, the 1st Mentoring Task Force soldiers and their
partner Afghan National Army element foiled a possible assassination attempt against
an Afghan National Police Commander.
The dismounted patrol was moving through the Mirabad Valley region when it was
approached by an Afghan man who reported a suspected Improvised Explosive
Device outside the commander’s house. This device was destroyed by ADF
personnel.
“We are experiencing increasing support and involvement from the local people all
over Oruzgan – from Gizab all the way down to Tarin Kowt we are seeing local
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
people that have an increased trust in the Afghan National Security Forces and a
willingness to seek our assistance,” Lieutenant Colonel Blain said.
“The local people are fed up with the Taliban and just want get on with a peaceful
life.”
A total of five caches and three Improvised Explosive Devices were recovered or
safely destroyed by the 1st Mentoring Task Force and its partnered Afghan forces
during the past week.
The continuing development of the Afghan National Security Forces is a significant
step toward longer-term stability in Afghanistan.
Media note:
Imagery is available at:
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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