Australian Special Forces Make Life Saving Find

URUZGAN, Afghanistan.  The large cache found and destroyed by Australian Special Forces and their Afghan partners on  June 2011 will save countless lives and significantly restrict the insurgent’s ability to attack Coalition forces and the people of Afghanistan. 

After analysis and exploitation of the cache, the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) confirmed the mission into Baghran District yielded the largest find by Australian troops this year. 

Several compounds of interest were searched in two different locations and the partnered patrol found

2050 kilograms of opium, 71 kilograms of heroin, two drug making facilities, four tonnes of drug making chemicals, cooking equipment, large sums of currency, 70 anti personnel mines, 20 RPG rockets, 2000 rounds of ammunition, several grenades, pistols, mortar rounds and rifles. A Russian made sniper rifle with telescopic sight was also in the haul. 

Most importantly, the cache find included IED componentry used to kill and maim local nationals and Coalition and Afghan forces. Over 60 electric detonators, five pressure plates, 500 metres of detonation cord and numerous devices used for remote initiation were found. 

Commanding Officer of the SOTG said the removal of these items will prove a major setback for the insurgency in the area. 

“Baghran has been considered a safe haven for terrorists for many years and our recent successes will directly degrade their operations in the coming months.”

“Targeting these insurgents and drug facilitators ensures a notable interdiction of their lines of supply into other areas of southern Afghanistan and affects their ability to finance and sustain attacks,” CO SOTG said. 

The mission was conducted with the Afghan National Interdiction Unit (NIU), an expanding and professional force designed to combat the drug networks funding insurgent activities. 

“Our work with the NIU has been very productive and we have continued to sever the link between the insurgency and the narcotics trade. Our combined efforts have resulted in thousands of kilograms of drugs, weapons and IED materials destroyed or confiscated and several individuals detained to face prosecution,” CO SOTG said.

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