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SANGIN DISTRICT, Afghanistan - The Afghan National Security Forces conducted a three-day operation in Sangin district to counter insurgent operations Sept. 16-19, marking the second time this year Afghans have worked together to fight insurgency within the district.
Leaders from the Afghan National Army, Afghan Local Police, and Afghan Uniformed Police worked together for weeks to coordinate and plan the operation following several attacks at local security checkpoints.
Insurgency in Sangin
Insurgency has been deeply rooted in Sangin since the beginning of the war and it continues to play a significant role in the district’s volatility.
Helmand province constitutes a large portion of the Taliban’s traditional homeland and many of the organization key leaders hail from the province’s district centers.
Since the beginning of the war, insurgents have relied on this type of local support to carry out their mission; however, much of that support has dwindled over the past year.
The province has experienced revolutionary change as the ANSF assumed responsibility for maintaining security and focused their efforts on protecting the local community.
Earlier this year, insurgents attacked military and police bases near Sangin in an attempt to regain control of the district. To combat the attacks, the security forces stepped in, conducted a joint operation, and forced the insurgents to abandon the area.
Maj. Gen. Sayeed Malook, the commanding general of the Afghan National Army’s 215 Corps, said the operation was a two-fold success— it was the first joint operation completed in the district and Taliban leaders faced immense challenges as insurgent manpower diminished.
Counterinsurgency operations
In August, insurgents began emplacing a significant number of improvised explosive devices and attacked military and police bases throughout the district. The attacks impacted travel along Route 611 and made it difficult for ANSF to maintain security at the Kajaki Dam.
Senior military and police officials met in September to discuss their strategic options and worked together to plan a preemptive assault to counter the insurgent attacks.
The security forces established a joint command center, conducted combined patrols and established vehicle and personnel checkpoints along Route 611 to restrict insurgent movement and eliminate attacks.
Malook said the coordination between the security forces was vital to the mission’s success, as they were able to quickly mobilize and eliminate the insurgents’ ability to reinforce.
“The communication and coordination among the ANSF forces was really good,” said Malook. “It was because of their interaction with one another that the operation was successful.”
When the operation was complete, the 215 Corps reported locating more than 200 improvised explosive devices and two weapons caches. Also, more than 100 insurgents were killed during the operation.
Relying on the community
Malook thanked the local community in Sangin for their assistance in the fight against insurgency.
He said during past fighting seasons, many of the locals provided support to the insurgents, making it difficult for his security forces to conduct successful operations within the district.
During the past year, military and police officials have worked hard to protect and defend the locals from the insurgents’ indiscriminate attacks and their efforts have resulted in them gaining the support of community leaders and village elders.
Malook said during the most recent operation, the local community assisted in finding enemy locations, reported improvised explosive devices in the area, and reinforced the ALP with more personnel to help maintain checkpoints.
Malook believes to have success in counterinsurgency operations his force needs the support of the local population.
“The locals helped us gain knowledge of the terrain in the area,” said Malook. “Terrain dominance is important in the success of any operation, but having the support of the locals is more important in Afghanistan.”
Patriotism
Malook praised the men serving within the ranks and said their devotion to their jobs and communities is nothing short of remarkable.
He said their courage and moral strength was the reason the security forces were successful in Sangin.
“[My troops] want to provide the local communities with peace and want to defend their country,” said Malook. “These two reasons are why we have been able to defeat the insurgents.”
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2013 00:57 |
| Story ID: | 114515 |
| Location: | SANGIN DISTRICT, AF |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ANSF plan, conduct clearing operation in Sangin district, by Sgt Austin Long, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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