KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Commandos of the 2nd Special Operations Kandak conducted a large scale clearing operation in which they killed one Taliban insurgent, recovered multiple weapons caches, and liberated 16 villagers from a Taliban prison in Tagab district, Kapisa province, April 3.
The commandos conducted the operation to disrupt and eliminate insurgent networks operating in villages known to be enemy strongholds.
Insurgents attacked the commandos with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades during the operation. The commandos returned fire, forcing the Taliban insurgents from their positions.
The commandos conducted a thorough search of the main bazaar and surrounding areas in the Bedreau Valley. During the search, commandos located and rescued 16 villagers that Taliban insurgents had restrained with chains and shackles in Bedreau prison.
“Operations like this liberate the people who were under Taliban rule and allow them to learn what freedom is. The enemy will now recognize the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” said Tagab District Chief of Police Col. Muhammed Narwoz. “The Taliban are finished here.”
The commandos also recovered weapons caches located in multiple compounds containing: more than 100 blasting caps, 66kgs of opium, 18kgs of high explosives, 15 improvised explosive devices, nine kgs of ammonium nitrate aluminum, five AK47s, five RPG rockets, and three hand grenades.
After the operation, Tagab District Governor, Abdul Malem Kudus, and Col. Narwoz held a shura with village elders at the Tagab District Center, where they discussed the operation and more ways to improve security in the area.
“The enemy was unsuccessful and powerless in the fight against us. The villagers living in the area were very pleased with our operation because we showed the enemy fighters that they are not welcome here,” said Cpt. Masud Ahmadi, a 2nd Special Operations Kandak company commander. “I am very happy that the commandos were able to keep their promise to assert power and bring justice to the criminals that were plaguing this district. It is our duty to serve and protect our people and our country.”
Afghan National Army commandos are an elite group of units that conduct high risk operations in remote areas where insurgents live and operate.
“Afghan forces are here in our district to support and defend its people,” said Kudus. “We are not the enemy; we are here to help the people so they can live peacefully in safety.”