Thaindian News

US Marines have recently launched a major offensive against the Talibans residing in Afghanistan. Reports say, nearly 4000 Marines are taking part in the mission that is code named as “Operation Khanjar” (Strike of the Sword) in the lower Helmand river valley situated at the South of Afghanistan. The Marines are being backed up by almost 650 Afghan troops and police.

“What makes Operation Khanjar different from those which have occurred before is the massive size of the force introduced, the speed at which it will insert and the fact that where we will go we will stay, and where we stay…” said Brigadier General Larry Nicholson. The Taliban fighters as well as the Taliban Guerrillas have taken shelter along the valley of the Helmand river in order to resist the British led NATO forces. Over the years the Taliban extremists have resisted the British led forces by taking shelter in the valley.

The US has reportedly sent about 8,500 Marines to the Helmand province in a short span of two months.

President Barrack Obama had previously stated that the emergency in Afghanistan and Pakistan are the main security threats that US is facing. Helmand is regarded as one of the strongholds of Taliban. Reports say that Helmand produces the largest share of the country’s opium crop which supplies more or less 90% of the world’s heroin.

Operation Khanjar, which is set to last 36 hours in its first phase aims to bring security at the Helmand valley prior to the Presidential elections which is slated to be held on August 20.