British Lt. Col. Andrew Harrison, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment commander, conducts a shura with Tor Ghai village elders after ISAF and ANA secured the village during a recent operation. (Photo courtesy of Task Force Helmand Public Affairs)

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2010-12-S-140
For Immediate Release
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KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 12, 2010) – Afghan National Army soldiers and International Security Assistance Force paratroopers made significant advances deep into the Taliban’s heartland in Helmand province during a recent operation into the settlement of Tor Ghai in Nahr-e Saraj district.

Since last year’s Operation Panchai Palang, ISAF forces have set up a series of patrol bases along route Trident, which links the cities of Lashkar Gah and Gereshk. The latest operation marks the first time that Afghan and ISAF forces have driven this deep into Nahr-e Saraj’s “green zone.”

Approaching the village from the west, ISAF forces came under small arms fire as they established a presence in the western outskirts of the village. Additional forces advanced to the north and northeast of the village, where they were engaged by insurgent fire. As the Afghan Army arrived in large numbers, the insurgents were unable to sustain the fight and retreated.

As soon as the village was secured, the soldiers engaged in a shura with village elders.

Now that Afghan and ISAF forces have established a presence in the community, work is underway to build checkpoints, repair the local road network and to clear known areas of insurgent improvised explosive devices.

“Improved security is paving the way for stronger governance and economic progress in Helmand,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Hynes, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.