FORWARD OPERATING BASE MASUM GHAR, Afghanistan – Soldiers and policemen of the Afghan National Security Forces along with soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, conducted Joint Operation Tufaan and met with locals from Panjwai district of Kandahar province, during the last week of May.
The purpose of the six day operation, lead by the ANA soldiers from 1st Brigade, 205th Corps, was to disrupt insurgent activity and help establish a government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan presence in the villages of Perozi, Talukan, Mullah Mhadi, Najabian, Belambay and Gerandi.
During the mission there was one civilian casualty caused by the insurgents and three ANA soldiers were wounded while 10 insurgents were killed, four more wounded and 11 others detained throughout the Horn of Panjwai. The partnered ANSF mission, which included the 1/2 Afghan National Civil Order Police, discovered 51 improvised explosive devices consisting of 447 pounds of homemade explosives; one IED facility containing six fuses, 20 blasting caps, and three PMN landmines.They also found eight caches consisting of 1800 pounds of Hash, 206 pounds of homemade explosives, 28 pressure plates, 24 rocket propelled grenades, 20 PMN land mines, three 107 mm rockets and an assortment of small arms and IED manufacturing materials.
The operation will allow GIRoA to provide stability throughout the region by placing Afghan Uniformed Police in each village to provide security from insurgents. The improved security will allow for local shuras to be conducted creating a direct line for villagers to voice their concerns to GIRoA officials.