Combined operation kills former ANA soldier who wounded three Australians

The former Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier who wounded three Australian and two Afghan soldiers at Patrol Base Nasir in November 2011 was killed in a late evening operation on 13 August 2013 (Afghan time).

Following months of focused intelligence work, Afghan forces launched the cordon and search operation in Takhar Province supported by Australian and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) elements.

The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley, said Mohammad Roozi was killed by small arms fire when he engaged the combined force elements.

“As the team approached, Roozi threw a grenade. He was immediately engaged with small arms fire and killed,” General Hurley said.

“Unfortunately one of the Afghan National Security Force members leading the clearance was slightly wounded when the grenade detonated.”

On securing the site, the partnered force identified the deceased man as the target of their search, Mohammad Roozi.

In November 2011, Mohammad Roozi opened fired with an automatic weapon on Australian soldiers as they worked alongside their Afghan partners at Patrol Base Nasir. Three Australian soldiers were wounded along with two ANA members.

Roozi evaded capture and remained at large since escaping the patrol base.

“We never gave up searching for Roozi. Australian forces, in concert with ISAF, narrowed down his location and then worked with the ANSF and ISAF elements responsible for the area to plan and conduct a focused mission,” General Hurley said.

“The success of the mission is testament to the strong partnership between ISAF forces and their ANSF counterparts.

“We continue to work with ISAF and ANSF authorities to detect and apprehend those who commit these insider attacks including Hek Matullah who is wanted for the murder of three Australian soldiers at Patrol Base Wahab in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan in August 2012,” General Hurley said.

Media contact:

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999