bobdina
08-31-2009, 01:03 PM
Capture of Taliban Leader in Bamyan Province
A key Taliban regional leader was captured south of Ghandak township in Bamyan Province by the Afghan National Police (ANP) yesterday. The operation was supported by members of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT).
Following an insurgent attack on a district government official on Sunday morning, the local police and security forces responded and a chase and small arms engagement ensued.
On being advised of the incident, NZPRT elements deployed to the area to assist, providing an outer security cordon. They also called in coalition fighter aircraft for overwatch and stood by to co-ordinate medical evacuation if needed.
By the afternoon the ANP had taken a local Taliban leader, Mullah Borhan, into custody. Borhan is alleged to be behind numerous insurgent attacks in the region, and there has been a $US10,000 public reward out for his arrest for several years. He was captured with weapons and bomb-making equipment in his possession.
Group Captain Greg Elliott, Commander of the NZPRT, said that the action was a success on many levels.
“It’s a win for the local Bamyan security forces, provincial Governor Sorabi, the Ministry of the Interior, the wider campaign against insurgents and the Taliban, and for the Provincial Operations Co-ordination Centre that was established to provide election security.”
There were no reported casualties to Afghan national security forces or NZPRT personnel.
ENDS
A key Taliban regional leader was captured south of Ghandak township in Bamyan Province by the Afghan National Police (ANP) yesterday. The operation was supported by members of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT).
Following an insurgent attack on a district government official on Sunday morning, the local police and security forces responded and a chase and small arms engagement ensued.
On being advised of the incident, NZPRT elements deployed to the area to assist, providing an outer security cordon. They also called in coalition fighter aircraft for overwatch and stood by to co-ordinate medical evacuation if needed.
By the afternoon the ANP had taken a local Taliban leader, Mullah Borhan, into custody. Borhan is alleged to be behind numerous insurgent attacks in the region, and there has been a $US10,000 public reward out for his arrest for several years. He was captured with weapons and bomb-making equipment in his possession.
Group Captain Greg Elliott, Commander of the NZPRT, said that the action was a success on many levels.
“It’s a win for the local Bamyan security forces, provincial Governor Sorabi, the Ministry of the Interior, the wider campaign against insurgents and the Taliban, and for the Provincial Operations Co-ordination Centre that was established to provide election security.”
There were no reported casualties to Afghan national security forces or NZPRT personnel.
ENDS