Afghan Special Forces continue pursuit of Taliban in the North

AVA- With the new fighting season is due to kick off in coming months, the size and strength of the Afghan Special Forces are also expected to increase with addition of the new commando forces.

10th Special Operation Kandak Commandos conducted a series of weapons proficiency ranges at Camp Pamir, Kunduz province, Afghanistan, Jan. 13, 2018. Divided into three special operations light infantry companies, the 10th SOK always actively pursues the enemies of Afghanistan with at least one Commando element. The special operators fired company organic weapon systems to include rifles, light and heavy machine guns, RPGs and mortars, according to a report Maj. Tony Mayne of the NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan.

The special operators continue to apply pressure on the Taliban through an aggressive winter campaign in the country’s northern region.

On Dec. 10, 2017, 10th SOK concluded a series of focused offensive operation in Kunduz province resulting in the removal of 101 Taliban fighters from Imam Sahib district. Over the course of five days, the Commandos eliminated 74 Taliban, wounded an additional 27 insurgents, and destroyed 87 defensive fortifications.

During the course of 2017, the Taliban have attempted to seize provincial capital district centers, such as Kunduz city, with no success. The combination of cooperation amongst the Afghan Nation Defense and Security Forces, and the growing capability of the Afghan Special Security Forces enabled a prolonged offensive operation through Afghanistan’s harsh winter season.

Four thousand additional Commandos will join the force before the start of the traditional fighting season in April 2018. The first Mobile Strike Kandak Commando force graduated from the Commando Qualification Course in Dec., and begins the inaugural Cobra Strike Mobility Course at Pol-e-Charki on Feb. 3.