Breaching the safe havens of the Taliban
MORE than 450 Royal Marine and Army commandos from Plymouth have swooped on insurgent 'safe havens', discovering explosive factories and detaining terrorist suspects.
In the biggest operation since arriving in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar in September, the commandos disrupted Taliban activity and became involved in the largest number of firefights yet.
Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Stickland, the Commanding Officer of 42 Commando, has hailed the success of the operation, which was staged earlier this week.
He said: "Success in my view is no British casualties and maximum Taliban casualties – that's exactly what we saw."
Working in conjunction with Canadian and US forces, the commandos – including servicemen from the Royal Citadel's 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery – discovered 24 boxes, each containing 40lbs of explosives, vast amounts of heroin and vital intelligence.
The five-day deliberate assault operation, entitled Operation Janubi Tapu (Afghan for Southern Vulture), was the first time British forces had entered the territory in the Zharey district, south west of Kandahar city.
"It was virgin territory for us," Lt Col Stickland said.
"I was trying to shock the insurgents in their safe havens and do that by conducting a bold aviation assault into key areas to confuse him [the Taliban] and unhinge him.
"It was also to dominate key pieces of ground which restricted his ability to manoeuvre. The ultimate aim was to stack the odds in my favour and maintain my position of advantage.
"In the Improvised Explosive Device sites we found major factories – the biggest found in that area. We also found components and parts that can be used to build these devices, and a large number of weapons.
"As well as this, the lads were also involved in a significant number of engagements with the enemy."
Just hours after the marines arrived back at their base at Camp Roberts on Kandahar Air Field, a clearly ecstatic Lt Col Stickland sang their praises.
"There is a buzz around 42 Commando," Lt Col Stickland said with a smile.
"They are humming because they know they have had a successful operation.
"They love it and it is what they do. There is a real sense of achievement here today. There is a feeling of energy about the marines and it is fantastic."
Operation Janubi Tapu was the third operation where Bickleigh-based 42 Commando Group have operated as a fully-formed battle group since arriving in Kandahar province in September.
Many more operations are planned during the six-month deployment as part of the war on the Taliban.
Tristan Nichols was embedded with 42 Commando when they came under fire during a patrol west of Kandahar, Afghanistan.
FRONTLINE: Right, enemy fire is returned; below, holed up in the heart of Taliban country
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