The International Security Assistance Force said that Afghan commandos, backed by US Special Operations forces, killed more than 60 Taliban fighters, and possibly a senior Taliban leader, during a three-day-long operation in the Qaysar district in the northern Afghan province of Faryab. From the ISAF press release:
Afghan National Army commandos, partnered with U.S. Special Forces, eliminated more than 60 insurgents during clearing operations in Qaysar district, Faryab province in a three-day operation which began, May 13.
Members of 1st Company, 5th Commando Kandak cleared the area around Ghuchghar village after receiving reports of insurgent activity. In the ensuing engagements, the commandos reported destroying 23 motorcycles used by insurgents, several rocket propelled grenades, two crew served machine guns, numerous assault rifles and accompanying ammunition.
This operation has severely degraded the insurgent’s ability to intimidate the local population and has denied them freedom of movement throughout Ghuchghar area, according to a U.S. Special Operations soldier.
They are also investigating local reports that a high level insurgent leader was killed in the fighting.
Working jointly with al Qaeda affiliates such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Party, the Taliban have stepped up attacks in the north while Coalition and Afghan forces have focused on operations in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. The northwestern provinces of Badghis, Faryab, Jawzjan, and Sar-i-Pul are estimated to have thousands of Taliban fighters sheltering in the region.
