[HAL9000]

COMBINED FORCES COMMAND - AFGHANISTAN -

COMBINED FORCES COMMAND - AFGHANISTAN
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
APO AE 09356
http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil

News Desk: 070-076-454
Kabul-Presscenter@cfc-a.centcom.mil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2006
Release # 061223-002

 

Coalition Forces Kill Senior Taliban Leader

 

KABUL, Afghanistan - Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Osmani, a senior member of the Taliban's inner circle, was killed Dec. 19 in Helmand Province.

Credible intelligence led Coalition Forces to Osmani's location near the border with Pakistan. His vehicle, traveling in a deserted area, was destroyed by a Coalition air strike, instantly killing him and two unidentified associates.

"Osmani was in the top ring of the Taliban leadership and he was also a close associate of Osama bin Laden and Gulbuddin Hekmatyr," said Col. Tom Collins, Coalition spokesperson. "His death is a major achievement in the fight against extremists and their terrorist networks."

Osmani was the Taliban's chief of military operations in the provinces of Uruzgan, Nimroz, Kandahar, Farah, Herat and Helmand. He played a central role in facilitating terrorist operations involving Taliban, al-Qaeda and the Haqqani Network, to include IED and suicide attacks, kidnappings, numerous atrocities against innocent civilians, and direct attacks on Coalition, NATO, and Afghan forces, Collins said.

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[bert]

......Gulbuddin Hekmatyr.....

New guy? Who is Gulbuddin Hekmatyr?

[houeto]

Osmani was the Taliban's chief of military operations in the provinces of Uruzgan, Nimroz, Kandahar, Farah, Herat and Helmand.

Probably the equivalent of a Three-Star General. Thanks Hal.

[El Gato]

is vehicle, traveling in a deserted area, was destroyed by a Coalition air strike, instantly killing him and two unidentified associates.

Death from Above, they probably never knew what was coming.

The best way, when we can manage it. No muss, no fuss. Let the scavengers pick their bones clean... after we strip the scene of any useful information of course.

[Unmarked Package]

"His vehicle, traveling in a deserted area, was destroyed by a Coalition air strike, instantly killing him and two unidentified associates."

Surely there must be video of the strike from cameras mounted on the attacking aircraft or spotters on the ground.

If the video could be declassified, I relish the thought of seeing it on YouTube.

Even more, I savor the thought that some filthy al-Qaeda savages, wherever they are, might see the footage and know the fate that awaits them. I hope the images haunt them in their nightmares.