There is nowhere for them to hide from the combined strength of the Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF
(KANDAHAR, Afghanistan) - Overnight, ISAF forces launched a precision air strike against a known insurgent command and logistics post in an isolated area of the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province.
The precision-guided munitions impacted on target, completely destroying it with no collateral damage. This strike is part of Operation Baaz Tsuka, the on-going operation to remove remaining insurgents from the Panjawayi and Zahre districts.
“The main aim of Operation Baaz Tsuka is to work together with tribal elders and district leaders to provide vital assistance and targeted development directly to the people of Zahre and Panjwayi districts,” said Maj. Gen. Ton Van Loon, a NATO commander in the south of Afghanistan, in a news release.
This precise strike is similar to the successful destruction of another insurgent command post on the night of December 13th. “This second surgical strike in the last five days clearly shows the insurgents that there is nowhere for them to hide from the combined strength of the Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF,” said Squadron Leader David Marsh, ISAF’s southern command spokesman.
Such a show of force comes at a critical time. According to CanWest News Service, 26 male Afghans were executed by Taliban in Panjwayi District on Monday, and their headless bodies hanged for public display in an effort dissuade local people from cooperating with NATO soldiers.
Warning notes were pinned to the headless corpses, advising any Afghan who assists coalition forces now mounting a major military campaign in Panjwayi District will meet the same fate.
Precision Air Strike Against Insurgent Command PostSalem-News.com