ANSF Kamisan Valley Operation

Effective planning processes and productive orders ensured a successful combined operation by Afghan National Security Forces in the Kamisan Valley from 14 – 18 August.

The independent clearance operation involved the Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP) and the National Directorate of Security (NDS).

Interagency cooperation through the Operational Coordination Centre Provincial-Uruzgan (OCC-P), demonstrated strong leadership and the commitment of all forces in the province to deny freedom of movement to insurgents.

Personnel from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Force Security Force Assistance Advisory Team are advisers to the Afghan National Army’s 4th Brigade 205th Corps.

Captain Travis Hoffmann, Operations and Intelligence Advisor, said the six day operation was supported by the 8th Special Operations Kandak commandos and the 4th Brigade’s Combat Support Kandak.

“This operation was a great example of the ANSF’s monthly planning process being developed and followed through, requiring complex coordination between all security pillars,” he said.

“During the orders group, there was a strong effort by the Commander of the 4th Brigade, Colonel Mohammad Rasul Khan (Colonel Kandahari), to ensure joint communications and cooperation between all the involved agencies which will continue on future operations.”

During the Kamisan Valley operation, the ANSF engaged with local communities to help build trust and confidence for the future.

The villagers welcomed the Afghan troops for bringing security to the Kamisan Valley which was evident by the lack of major hostile acts encountered during the operation.

The operation ended with a shura in Awrang attended by nearly 70 tribal leaders and locals for discussions on the purpose of the operation and plans for the upcoming 2014 Afghan elections.

Captain Hoffmann said in addition to a few minor skirmishes with insurgents, Afghan search teams found three caches of weapons, explosives and ammunition and there were seven improvised explosive devices (IED) incidents.

“Six IEDs were detected and blown in place by the ANA, and the seventh was a vehicle strike which resulted in only minor damage.

“This was seen as a positive indication and demonstrated the insurgents are afraid to face the ANSF.”