AUSTRALIAN special forces have joined the hunt for terror mastermind Osama bin Laden in a vast area of southern Afghanistan.Based in the heart of a rebel "sanctuary", the 190-strong force is combing the mountainous region for rebel bases and ammunition dumps. They are on the lookout for bin Laden, other senior al-Qaeda leaders and Taliban remnants.
SAS and other special forces are conducting long-range patrols, sometimes stretching for several days, using specially modified Land Rovers. Suspected Taliban forces have fired on the Australians twice in the past week, with one soldier suffering minor shrapnel wounds during a rocket and grenade attack on Thursday. He is now back on duty.
The Australians have been involved in combat only twice so far, although they have been relatively close to randomly fired rockets which were not considered to be directly targeting them. A Special Operations Task Group spokesman said the Diggers ranged far from base. "That's what we provide to this area of operations - the ability to get out for long periods of time over long distances to report back on what's happening," he said. "You're in a part of Afghanistan where everyone carries their own weapon, everyone protects their own patch of dirt.
"But just because someone has got a gun doesn't mean they're hostile. We watch routines so you can . . . pick out the good guys from the bad guys."
The patrol area spans mountains in the north, stretching to tablelands in the south. It includes "ratlines" used to smuggle rebels and equipment. The Diggers provide covert surveillance, help secure humanitarian projects and establish links with villagers.
Defence Minister Robert Hill visited their base yesterday. Camp Russell is named in honour of Sgt Andrew Russell, an SAS soldier who died in a mine explosion during Australia's previous Afghanistan deployment, which ended in 2002. "While I was at the camp a group of Special Forces returned from about two weeks in the field where they encountered gun fire attempting to save the lives of a group of local police who were under serious attack," Senator Hill said. "They did a remarkable job in difficult circumstances and were highly praised by the local community.
"I was pleased to be able to personally thank the soldiers for their efforts and to pass on the Government's appreciation and the support of the Australian community for the work they are doing to fight terrorism.
"It is clear that our Special Forces are working in a highly volatile and dangerous environment, but it was good to see they are upbeat and enthusiastic about the work they are doing."
The heavily fortified base houses the SAS, commandos, logistics experts and signallers. They operate in thick dust, temperatures up to 50C and high winds, although air-conditioned accommodation tents provide some relief.
The Diggers are joined on patrols by Afghan soldiers from a base near Camp Russell. Surveillance patrols feed information into the coalition forces' intelligence gathering system, enabling them to plan joint missions to strike at rebels. Australia is considering sending another 200 soldiers next year to join the reconstruction effort. Senator Hill said Cabinet was expected to consider a proposal in November.