Afghan National Security Forces provide security, humanitarian aid

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan
Story by Staff Sgt. Cody Sedlacek

Date: 03.14.2012
Posted: 03.16.2012 01:45
News ID: 85328

BALKH PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Commandos from 5th Afghan National Army Commando Kandak, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted a clearing operation in Ghormach district, March 8-9.

The combined force of over a hundred commandos and coalition SOF members began the mission during the early morning hours, to disrupt insurgent activities and meet with the local populace.
While meeting with the villagers, local citizens explained insurgents in the area threaten them, and extort them for food, water and shelter. The commandos explained the Ministry of the Interior Afghan Local Police program, and how it has been successful in the nearby district of Qeysar

“The ALP can bring security to this village too,” said a commando squad leader.

A coalition SOF team member expanded on the commandos point.

“Once the village elders ask the MOI for ALP, we will be there to train them,” said the SOF team member. “The elders will have a hand in selecting the men from this village to protect their homes, and those men won’t be assigned anywhere else.”

During the operation, commandos found and safely reduced half a dozen mortars insurgents hide in the village for use in future improvised explosive devices.

Also on the 8th, an Afghan National Army special forces team distributed humanitarian assistance in Charah Dareh district, Konduz province.

The unusually cold winter has created a need for heavy winter clothing. The ANASF gave more than 500 coats to some of the poorest villages in the district.

On March 12, ANASF received information about a cache of IED making materials in Baghlan province. The ANASF team positioned themselves in Baghlan-e Jadid district, along with a coalition SOF team, to gain further details about the cache site.

The ANASF team successfully recovered the cache consisting of 40 pounds of homemade explosives, an anti-tank mine, and a homemade IED. The partnered forces safely destroy the materials.

“The Afghan special forces soldiers are truly an elite force,” said the deputy commanding officer of Task Force Balkh. “Within hours of receiving the information, they planned and executed a mission to recover these IED materials, preventing their use against ANSF and coalition forces.”

No casualties or property damage was reported as a result of these operations.