Commandos night raid surprises Taliban, captures weapons and drugs

Courtesy Photo | A Commando night raid led to the seizure of 130 kg of explosives and more than 50 weapons in Kuchnay Darweyshan, Garm Ser district, Helmand province, Afghanistan on Dec. 29, 2017. The Commandos also seized $105,000 worth of heroin and detained 10 Taliban militants. (U.S. Army photo)  

AFGHANISTAN

12.29.2017

Story by Maj. Anthony Mayne 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

7th Special Operations Kandak (Battalion) Commandos used helicopters and the cover of darkness to raid a Taliban compound seizing $105,000 worth of heroin and 130 kg of explosives in Kuchnay Darweyshan, Garm Ser district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2017. The Commandos detained 10 Taliban suspects and captured more than 50 weapons.

The 7th SOK conducts persistent raids on Taliban throughout Helmand province. On Dec. 7-8, the Commandos seized 14 kg of heroin valued at $224,000 to $294,000 during an offensive operation in Nahr-e-Saraj district, Helmand province.

The Commandos operations throughout Afghanistan have denied the Taliban’s ability to achieve any of their stated 2017 campaign goals. The growing capability and interoperability of the Afghan Special Security Forces and Afghan National Army and Air Force have enabled prolonged offensive operations to place increased military pressure on the Taliban during Afghanistan’s winter season.

• Date Taken: 12.29.2017
• Date Posted: 12.30.2017 10:04
• Story ID: 260923
• Location: AF