Karnal wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 5:27pm:

he ABC has now learned that a total of three right hands were removed from dead insurgents' bodies and taken back to the Australian base in Afghanistan.

The offence occurred on April 28 last year when SAS troops were dispatched to Zabul province as part of a combined operation involving the Afghan National Security Forces and Australia's Special Operations Task Group.

Do you know more about this story? Email investigations@abc.net.au
They were on the hunt for one of the Australian force's priority targets, an insurgent known as Rapier, a specialist in the construction of improvised explosive devices believed to have been responsible for the deaths of a number of Australian soldiers.

Australian troops are required to collect fingerprints and eye scans of every Taliban fighter who is killed.

It can be a difficult process as they are often operating under intense time pressure and in dusty, hot and sweaty conditions.

The ABC understands that during the operation on April 28, four insurgents were killed and that the right hands of three of them were removed by an SAS corporal.

Rapier was not one of them.

The corporal was acting on advice given by an officer from the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS), who lectured a group of SAS soldiers on April 19 during a training session at the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.

The ADFIS officer told them it did not matter how the fingerprints were taken and that it would be acceptable to chop off the hands of the dead and bring them back to base for identification purposes.

The ABC understands it took three days for the senior command at Tarin Kowt to realise what had happened, but as soon as it was known an operation pause was put in place.

The pause, which lasted a week, upset the US command as it had a direct impact on a broader ISAF operation that included US forces.

Unclear if matter will remain internal

After a long investigation, charges are now being considered against the SAS corporal responsible but it is unclear what the charges might be or if they will remain an internal defence disciplinary matter.

The mutilation or mistreatment of the bodies of the dead is a violation of the laws of war.

Article 15 of the Geneva convention states: "At all times, and particularly after an engagement, Parties to the conflict shall, without delay, take all possible measures to search for and collect the wounded and sick, to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment, to ensure their adequate care, and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled."

Under Australian Defence doctrine, Australian Defence Force members are required to adhere to the Law of Armed Conflict and the moral principles that underlie them.

The ADF's Law of Armed Conflict states that: "The remains of the dead, regardless of whether they are combatants, non-combatants, protected persons or civilians, are to be respected, in particular their honour, family rights, religious convictions and practices and manners and customs. At all times they shall be humanely treated and protected against pillage and despoilment."

The Defence Department said it would continue to investigate an incident of potential misconduct during a combined operation between Afghan National Security Forces and Australia's Special Operations Task Group in Zabul province, Afghanistan, on April 28, 2013.

It said it would not comment further on the matter until the investigation was complete.

After the publication of the initial story in August last year, the ABC was informed that an AFP investigation would be launched to identify the source of what was described as an unauthorised disclosure of information.

That investigation has concluded.

A statement from the AFP said the investigation did not identify sufficient material or evidence to substantiate any charges over the unauthorised disclosure.

WAS IT BIG ASS JULIAR OR PUSSIE FACE RUDD WHO AUTHORISED THIS   

Nausicaa wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 10:21am:



Another of your 'friends', huh? Like your other businessmen friends in North Korea. You are just resorting to make-beleive now.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 6:53am:




   Douche bag.

mariacostel wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 6:23pm:


You're okay with the mutilation of corpses?

mariacostel wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 6:23pm:



I didn't use the word 'hate'.

I said 'douche bag', which was aimed at Abbott for making such a ridiculous statement.

Mind you, I don't have that much time for soldiers.

You're not very good at this, are you?

greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 6:29pm:


Even a moderate student of English would be able to work out that your one word response (it is hyphenated) had no object.

It seems however, you are happy to apply it to both.

You really aren't very good at written communication, are you?

greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 6:38pm:
Not quite. The douche is dripping down the sides. Its not pretty. 

mariacostel wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2015 at 6:29pm:


you're just jealous that even the desperate Indian drivers won't touch you!