Defence spokesperson Brigadier Brian Dawson said the Taliban commander was responsible for ordering and coordinating suicide bombers throughout the province. He is also known to have ordered the kidnapping of several local Afghan civilians.
Brigadier Dawson said the captured commander had links to senior Taliban leaders.
“He has been connected to Mullah Berader Akhund, the second in command to the leader of the Taliban movement, Mullah Omar.”
Mullah Saqi Dad was the supplier of bombs and parts crucial for the manufacture and deployment of road-side and suicide bomb attacks in Oruzgan.
He was known to have distributed land-mines, gunpowder and IED components through the province.
“Targeting the Taliban extremist leadership and removing their ability to coordinate actions is key to creating an environment in which the Afghan National Security Forces can establish themselves and provide security for the Oruzgan locals.”
Under an agreement between the Dutch and Afghan Governments, Mullah Saqi Dad is now being detained by Afghan authorities.
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