Australian 'Diggers' kill top Taliban leader in Afghanistan

Sydney, Aug.25 (ANI): Special Australian security forces, the Diggers, have reportedly killed senior Taliban leader, Mullah Karim, in a special operation primarily targeting the hardcore extremists in the Oruzgan province of Afghanistan.

The operation was carried out earlier this month, but details about it were disclosed on Tuesday by Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant-General Mark Evans.

"Mullah Karim was killed during an operation directed against the insurgent network of improvised explosive device operators in Oruzgan province," The Australian quoted Lieutenant-General Evans, as saying.

Karim was a tactical-level insurgent commander active in the Khaz Oruzgan area and was believed to be responsible for carrying out several attacks on the Australian and Afghan forces in the region, he added.

Details regarding the operation were kept secret keeping in view of the targeted killings in the past, however, sources said members of the elite Special Operations Task Group (SOTG), which also includes members of the Special Air Service Regiment, carried out the operation against the top Taliban leader.

There are about 1500 Australian troops stationed in Afghanistan, but only the 300 strong SOTG is involved in combat operations. (ANI)