NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan- Afghan commandos from the 1st Special Operations Kandak captured a key insurgent leader and killed two other insurgents during a clearing operation that ended Aug. 24 in Nangarhar province’s Khogyani district.
The operation began Aug. 21 in an attempt to reverse insurgent gains made during Ramadan. The Taliban sub-commander is a known bomb-maker and distributor for militants in the region. Afghan commandos engaged in a nearly three hour gun battle, which resulted in the two insurgents’ death and capture of the Taliban sub-commander.
The bomb-maker’s capture will reduce the amount of attacks on Afghan National Security Forces and greatly improve safety for local residents, Afghan National Army commando Maj. Amiri, 1st SOK executive officer, said, following the shoot out Aug. 22.
Afghan National Army commandos are an elite group that conducts high-risk operations in remote areas known to be enemy strongholds. These counterinsurgency missions assist national and local police in their efforts to increase security, governance and development.
“We had many achievements during the mission,” Amiri said. “Despite the insurgents’ attacks, we engaged them and cleared the area effectively, killing two insurgents and capturing another.”
With the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s recent announcement of Tranche 5, Milestone 2013, Afghan National Security Forces are irreversibly taking the lead for Afghanistan’s security.
“We train very hard to ensure that we are an effective fighting force capable of providing security for our people and nation,” Amiri said.
Afghan forces caused no civilians casualties or structural damages during the operation.