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Date Posted: 13:52:24 05/10/02 Fri
Author: Buffy's vampire
Subject: Thanks to the Aussie SAS Al Qaeda lose 300 terrorists

Aussie troops help kill 300 Taliban


Australian troops were instrumental in killing as many as 300 Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters during Operation Anaconda two months ago.

The commander of Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troops involved in the war on terror has revealed the Australian forces played a key role in ensuring the success of what has become known as the Battle of Shahi Khowt.

That ultimately involved the entire complement of SASR troops in Afghanistan.

Hitherto the Australian Defence Force admitted only that Australian troops killed around a dozen of the enemy fighters.

The commander of the Australian troops, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the enemy forces made it easy for the Coalition because they stood and fought.




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For his part in this battle an Australian SASR sergeant was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross.

"We were all too happy to go in there and engage them in combat. Clearly they expected to win. They didn't," he said.

The battle involved an attack on major al-Qaeda positions in the south of the country.

It wasn't that easy with the United States forces suffering significant casualties when their helicopters were struck by rockets.

Australian forces adopted observation positions.

The officer said this was a little bit out of the normal SASR role.

"We did it very well. A large number of enemy were killed by our forces," he said.

"It is difficult to get into figures but the figure confidently quoted is around about 300 in battle damage assessment, that is killed by our people directly or indirectly."

The officer's candid assessment of the SASR role came as Defence Minister Robert Hill and Chief of the Defence Force Admiral Chris Barrie toured the SASR base.

The officer said the al-Qaeda threat was not yet over, despite their defeats.

"Right now they are attempting to re-establish themselves and their arms and ammunition in Afghanistan," he said.

Two contingents of 150 SASR troops have taken part in the war in Afghanistan.

The first 150 returned to Australia in early April after they were replaced by the second contingent of 150 who were sent overseas in late March.

One Australian has died in the Afghanistan campaign.

Sergeant Andrew Russell, 33, a member of the Perth-based regiment was killed when his vehicle struck a landmine in southern Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Matthew Bouillaut was last month awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his role in the conflict.

In its citation, Government House said he demonstrated distinguished command and leadership in action as the patrol commander of Bravo Three, 1 SAS Squadron, Task Force 64, while on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Bouillaut, through his personal command of Patrol Bravo Three, achieved outstanding results which in themselves significantly influenced the outcomes of Operation Anaconda, the citation said.

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