Secrets of the Taliban: weapons cache revealed

Never-before-seen photographs of weapons used by the Taliban and seized in Afghanistan by Ben Roberts-Smith have been released.

The Federal Court has just released never-before-seen photographs of weapons used by the Taliban and seized in Afghanistan by Ben Roberts-Smith and the SAS.
The photographs show a tunnel, rifles, explosives, rocket launchers and other weapons, some partially handmade or altered, which were seized by the war hero and his comrades in Afghanistan in 2009.

Mr Roberts-Smith and the SAS took the weapons during a raid on a Taliban compound known as Whiskey 108.

It was during that raid that Mr Roberts-Smith shot a Taliban man who had a prosthetic leg.

The leg was then famously taken back to the Australian troops headquarters at Tarin Kowt and placed in the troop bar, known as the Fat Lady’s Arms.

Many soldiers subsequently used the leg as a trophy beer drinking vessel and posed for photographs with it.

The death of the man with the prosthetic leg is the subject of one allegation that Mr Roberts-Smith is suing Nine Newspapers for in his defamation trial.

Nine claims that he killed the disabled man while he was unarmed, or had already been disarmed and deemed a “person under control” or PUC.

Mr Roberts-Smith has denied the claim, saying he shot the man in an alleyway outside the Taliban compound where he had been lurking with a rifle.

The Taliban weapons seized by Ben Roberts-Smith and the SAS in 2009 from an enemy compound known as Whiskey 108. Picture: Australian Federal Police

A soldier with one of the weapons that Australian forces found in the Taliban stronghold. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Ammunition and other military gear including belts worn by the Taliban that were found in the compound. Picture: Australian Federal Police

A tunnel under the Taliban compound where the SAS forces shot two men in a 2009 operation in Afghanistan. Picture: Australian Federal Police

The weapons were photographed after allegedly being found on Taliban combatants inside Whiskey 108.

Mr Roberts-Smith and SAS comrades raided the compound after being called in to support other Australian troops at the location.

The incident took place on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 and involves another accusation by Nine, that Mr Roberts-Smith ordered another, younger soldier to shoot an old man in a white robe.

That shooting, dubbed “blooding the rookie” has also been refuted by Mr Roberts-Smith who denies all six of the alleged murder crimes claimed by Nine Newspapers.

Rocket launcher found during the Whiskey 108 raid on a Taliban compound in 2009. Picture: Australian Federal Police.

Another rifle found at Whiskey 108. Picture: Australian Federal Police.

Ben Roberts-Smith said the disabled man had a bolt action rifle. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Possible explosive device found by the SAS at the Taliban compound. Picture: Australian Federal Police.

He also denies assaulting a woman known as Person 17 in a domestic violence incident in March 2018.

Mr Roberts-Smith’s trial entered its fourth week on Monday, with Afghan villagers testifying from Kabul via AVL.

The Afghan witnesses are testifying as fears grow about the security situation in Afghanistan with the rise of the Taliban following the withdrawal of allied troops.

Sydney’s Covid-19 lockdown has delayed the trial, with many witnesses from Western Australia and Queensland unable to attend because of border restrictions.

An Australian soldier drinking beer out of dead Taliban fighter's prosthetic leg.

Two soldiers at Rain Kowt off duty with the prosthetic leg at the Fat Lady’s Arms bar.

Soldier with prosthetic leg strapped to his back after it was souvenired from the Whiskey 108 Taliban compound.