Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !

Afghanistan

Key Taliban warlord killed in ambush

2008-02-23

We had this story yesterday. Here's the missing detail. A TALIBAN warlord behind suicide attacks on British troops has been killed during a daring operation in Afghanistan, it was reported today. The Special Boat Service ambushed Mullah Abdul Matin as he crossed a desert on a motorbike. He was shot dead by troops from the elite division of the Royal Navy after they were dropped into his path by helicopter. Reports said Matin opened fire with an AK47 rifle, but was shot dead along with two guards – including key Taliban lieutenant Mullah Karim Agha. Matin, who was in his 40s, was killed on Monday near Gereshk in Helmand Province. Matin had been one of the Coalition's top targets in recent months. He and his followers are believed to be responsible for several suicide bomb attacks on British convoys. His men are thought to have been behind the deaths of Royal Marine Gary Wright, 22, in October 2006, and Sgt Dave Wilkinson, 33, last July, as well as the murders of dozens of Afghan civilians.

Link

Afghanistan

Afghanistan: NATO troops say they've killed Taliban commanders

2008-02-22

Afghan and NATO-led troops killed a regional Taliban commander and his associate in southern Afghanistan, and an explosion claimed the life a British soldier in a separate incident, officials said Thursday. The joint NATO-Afghan forces killed commander Mullah Abdul Matin and Mullah Karim Agha in the southern province of Helmand on Monday, the alliance said in a statement. "As a result of this successful attack, the Taliban's networks have suffered another severe setback," said Brig. Gen. Carlos Branco, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

Link

Afghanistan

Afghan officials claim arresting senior Taliban commanders

2007-12-10

(KUNA) -- Afghan officials Sunday claimed arresting two senior Taliban commanders during the ongoing military operation in Musa Qala district of Helmand province in the troubled southern zone. Without revealing names of the detainees and other details about them, provincial Governor Asadullah Wafa confirmed some Taliban members had been detained there. However, a provincial official said two of them were senior commanders and responsible for the Taliban operations in the district. The official said they included Mullah Abdul Matin and Mullah Rahim Akhund. One of the two detainees was appointed as chief of Musa Qala district by the Taliban. The militants had seized the district some 10 months back. The British troops withdrew from the town of Musa Qala under a controversial agreement, which they said, was reached with the local elders. A statement from the Afghan Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said one of the 12 militants killed a day earlier was a foreigner. However, it did not mention his nationality. The joint swoop by the Afghan security forces and the NATO troops was launched on Friday. Taliban confirmed the operation but said they were fully prepared and would not leave the area.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-3 More