Australian and Afghan forces have killed an insurgent leader and captured another four in operations in the lead-up to the summer fighting season.
The operations, involving the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Special Operations Task Group (SOTG), were conducted in the past six weeks in what is traditionally a time of lower activity in Afghanistan.
The commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General Stuart Smith, said the operation had reduced the ability of insurgents to carry out attacks.
"These are key leaders within the insurgent network that operates throughout Oruzgan," he said in a statement on Thursday.
They are believed to be responsible for improvised explosive devices and for attacks on ANSF, coalition and Australian troops.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Between January 3 and February 13, the force detained four insurgent commanders and killed another.
All were regarded as holding key leadership positions within the province.
The partnered force also located and destroyed large quantities of materials to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including 3750 kilograms of ammonium chloride. They also found 120kg of heroin, 111kg of opium and 150kg of hashish.
The task force's commanding officer, who can be identified only as Lieutenant Colonel J for security reasons, said the winter operations had been remarkably successful.
"The operations have targeted the key insurgent leadership, their supplies and their drug trade, effectively reducing their ability to fund and implement their future operations," he said in a statement.
"Removing five insurgent commanders from Uruzgan province will not only degrade the insurgents' capability, it will also improve security for the Afghan people as these IED makers and facilitators are no longer in operation."
