A Taliban bomb-making factory has been shut down following an airborne assault by British commandos.

Troops seized more than 130 detonators capable of setting off the types of lethal bomb that have killed dozens of coalition soldiers in the last year.

Commanders have hailed the raid as a major success in thwarting the Taliban’s increasingly sophisticated bombing campaign. In the last month 10 British soldiers and seven Canadians have been killed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in southern Afghanistan. In a joint operation with Canadian and Afghan forces, troops from 42 Commando Royal Marines swept onto an insurgent stronghold in a helicopter assault.

In the early hours of the morning under cover of darkness, commandos from Kilo Company carried out the attack on the isolated Taliban base to the north of Kandahar City. The Marines swept through compounds and farm buildings as the Royal Canadian Regiment pushed in on foot and in armoured vehicles. Eight suspected bomb-makers were taken prisoner and a Canadian soldier, Tpr Brian Good, 42, of the Royal Canadian Regiment, was killed by a booby-trap bomb in the attack. No Taliban are thought to have died.

But a search of more than 50 compounds and buildings led to seizure of a “huge haul” of lethal weapons and materials used to make IEDs. The troops found bags of shrapnel, from ball-bearings to nut and bolts – all used to maim and kill in “cunningly hidden” underground caches and tunnel, Royal Marine sources said. Six large tubs of explosives were also discovered along with 38 pressure plates used to detonate hidden mines. They also found 3,000 rounds of ammunition, AK47s, anti-personnel mines and 22 rocket-propelled grenades during the raid in the Khakrez and Shah Wali Khot districts that ended last Friday (Jan 9).

The insurgents were also found hiding 20kg of opium with an estimated street value in Britain of £130,000. It is further proof that the Taliban, who are meant to be strict Muslims, are using the drug trade in Afghanistan to finance their attacks. The Americans estimate that the insurgents make $500 million (£330 million) a year from the trade which much of the cash passing to both Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders based in Pakistan.

Posted by Drew458     on 01/14/2009 at 06:18 PM   
Filed Under: • Miscellaneous • War On Terror • War-Stories •  
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