DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 066/10
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Taliban commander captured in Afghan-led SOTG operation
A key Taliban insurgent commander was recently captured in a deliberate operation
led by Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Australian Special
Operations Task Group (SOTG).
The combined operation detained a key insurgent leader and Improvised Explosive
Device coordinator Mullah Janan Andewahl in the Mirabad Valley Region of
Oruzgan Province.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, said the insurgent
commander had been responsible for directing attacks and roadside bombings against
local Afghan civilians, and Afghan and ISAF security forces.
“Mullah Janan Andewahl posed a very serious threat to the safety and prosperity of
people living in Oruzgan Province and he has been a person of interest for some
time,” Lieutenant General Evans said.
“In addition to his role as a key facilitator of Improvised Explosive Devices used
against the local population and international forces, including Australians, we believe
he was also behind a number of organised attacks and executions against the local
population in the Mirabad district.”
There is some evidence that Mullah Janan Andewahl travelled extensively across
southern Afghanistan in an effort to avoid capture by security forces.
He is now in the custody of Afghan local authorities after his identity was confirmed.
Lieutenant General Evans said the combined operations by the ANSF and the SOTG
were creating an environment in which the Afghan Government could continue to
improve security and the conditions for the future development of Oruzgan province.
“Ensuring that Mullah Janan Andewahl, and those like him, enter the justice system
for prosecution under the laws of Afghanistan reinforces to the local population, who
have been terrorised by these extremists, that their Government is intent on restoring
security.”
The SOTG is continuing its operations to disrupt the Taliban insurgent command and
control network in Oruzgan province. As these operations are ongoing, no specific
details of the operation will be released.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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