HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan Special Forces and Commandos of the 4th Special Operations Kandak conducted clearing operations Dec. 16 – 17 in Owkal village, Shindand district, Herat province.
The soldiers did the operations to secure Zerekoh Valley, which will prove essential to expanding safety to the district center and the province’s major transportation route on Highway 1, said Maj. Bigie Farooq, 4th SOK commander.
“It is important that we continue to press our advantage against the Taliban in the district,” said Farooq. “The commandos and [Afghan Special Forces] are taking advantage of the insurgent’s weakened position by disrupting these supply points. [Our] aggressive action will instill fear into the hearts of the Taliban and let them know that the commandos may attack at any time.”
Afghan National Army Special Forces and commandos are an elite group of soldiers capable of conducting high-risk missions in remote areas known to be enemy strongholds.
Farooq points to how his unit’s efforts are affecting insurgent fighters in the valley, citing a weapons cache destroyed during a similar operation in nearby Kushke village on Oct. 24.
