DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 120/09
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
INSURGENT LEADER MULLAH ABDUL BARI
KILLED IN ORUZGAN
A senior Taliban insurgent leader who was known to have facilitated Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) and suicide bomb attacks in Oruzgan province has been
killed in an operation by Australian Special Forces and Afghan National Army troops.
The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, said Mullah Abdul
Bari was known to have controlled suicide bombers, the training of foreign fighters
and distribution of weapons.
“He was also identified as a primary IED facilitator and was responsible for the
coordination of device emplacement in the province. His weapons of choice were
road-side bombs and suicide bombers, and his death means that Taliban insurgents
operating in the region have lost one of their key facilitators,” Lieutenant General
Evans said.
“The removal of Mullah Abdul Bari will significantly disrupt Taliban insurgent
efforts to conduct actions that injure and kill Afghan and coalition troops.
“Mullah Bari has also been confirmed to have been directly involved in the placement
of the improvised explosive devices which have targeted Australian troops.”
Lieutenant General Evans said the recent operation also killed several other Taliban
insurgents.
“The operation received the necessary International Security Assistance Force
approvals and was conducted in accordance with the Laws of Armed Conflict and
Rules of Engagement.
“This operation will contribute to a safer, more stable environment for the people of
Oruzgan,” Lieutenant General Evans said.
Media note: Audio grabs of Lieutenant General Mark Evans will be available from
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
