Posted on 06/02/2007 3:50:39 PM PDT by SandRat
The UK-led Operation Lastay Kulang, which has been continuing in northern Helmand Province, has succeeded in squeezing the Taliban in the north and south of the Upper Sangin valley into isolated pockets.
The operation is being jointly conducted by the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), commanded by the UK-led Task Force Helmand. As well as UK troops Estonian forces and America air divisions are also involved.
Leaving the town of Sangin during the early hours of Wednesday 30 May 2007, B Company, of the First Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment alongside their Afghan National Army colleagues advanced north-east, clearing compounds of Taliban through the day and into the night.
The Royal Anglian and Afghan Forces continued their advance on Thursday towards troops of A Company Royal Anglians and their Estonian counterparts. Emerging from the surrounding desert, the Royal Anglian and Estonian forces infiltrated into and around the village of Putay, halfway between the towns of Sangin and Kajaki.
As they advanced, securing settlements strung out alongside the Helmand River, they were supported on their eastern flanks by the Brigade Reconnaissance Force and elements of the Royal Anglian Reconnaissance Platoon who stopped the Taliban escaping into the desert.
Consolidating their position in and around Putay, A Company 1 Royal Anglian and Estonian forces began moving south-west, with the aim to trap the Taliban forces, weakening their ability to intimidate the Afghan population.
In addition troops of the 82nd Airborne Division, known as Task Force 1 Fury, were airlifted further up into the Sangin Valley. Their insertion into the village of Kajaki Sofla allowed them to immediately engage the Taliban forces, clearing them from compounds as they moved south-west down the Sangin Valley.
By ridding the area of Taliban influence, the operation is allowing ANSF and ISAF to create a stable environment to further engage with the local population, determining their basic needs and requirements in support of local governance.
This operation, building on the achievements of recent ANSF and ISAF operations in northern Helmand, is steadily providing the enduring security conditions required for the Afghan Government to rehabilitate the Kajaki hydro-electric project, increasing power and agricultural productivity across Helmand Province and southern Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Mayo, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said:
"By extending the authority of the Afghan Government and removing Taliban forces this operation will provide the security conditions for the redevelopment of the Upper Sangin Valley and further enhance Government influence across Northern Helmand."
FR WAR NEWS!FR WAR NEWS!More good news.
Islamofascist serial killers are being killed in Iraq, Somali, Lebannon and Afghanistan. When the Islamofascists in control of Iran are killed and buried, the world will be a safer place.
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