FORWARD OPERATING BASE MASUM GHAR, Afghanistan — The 205th Afghan National Army Corps commander and the International Security Assistance Forces’ Regional Command-South commander visited one of the most contested areas in the southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Panjwa’i, Oct. 19.
Maj. Gen. Abdel Hamid, the 205th commander, along with Maj. Gen. James L. Huggins, the RC-South commander, visited tactical positions and soldiers from both the 1st Kandak, 205th Afghan National Army Corps, and the U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, who have been working side by side to eradicate insurgent forces who have maintained a stronghold in the Panjwa’i district up until two months ago.
The commanders’ visit to Panjwa’i comes just a few weeks after the 82nd Airborne Division took over responsibility for ISAF operations in Kandahar. Both commanders stopped to recognize Afghan and U.S. soldiers who have almost completely pushed the insurgent forces out of the district after months of heavy fighting.
Hamid and Huggins also took the opportunity to meet with the Panjwa’i district governor, Hajji Sayed Fazluddin Agha, at the Panjwa’i District Center.
Though their remains a small contingent of insurgent fighters in the Panjwa’i area, Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF can begin focusing on improving the quality of life for local residents as ISAF prepares to transition security to ANSF.
“We have security almost everywhere … and the conditions are set for reconstruction,” said Hamid in a meeting with district leaders and military commanders from both the ANSF and ISAF.