Writer: SPC E.Manning
There is a town south of Nad 'Ali, Afghanistan, that to some is unplottable. It scarcely appears on any maps, and when it does, is unnamed and easily overlooked. Although local countrymen are aware of it's existence, this small village seems anchors aweigh from civilization. It was perhaps both the remote location and cartographic camouflage that made it both a staging area and firing point for local insurgents. Unfortunately for them, both their cruel and inhumane treatment of the local villagers, and constant attacks on local ISAF convoys had called down the thunder, and they were about to reap the whirlwind.
Moving with support from the local Afghanistan Security Force, British troops marched towards the village. Any fortified positions the Taliban held was immediately decimated by close air support whilst infantry charged, keeping with the speed and tempo of the offense, searching house to house. Civilian casualties were non existent, the thinking behind the coalition soldiers is best described by Afghan National Civil Order Police officer, Colonel Hakkim.
"Bullets can't tell the difference between insurgents and children, but you can, and you pull the trigger."
Anyone, even without military training is completely capable of thinking before they do anything. Constant vigilance to both thoughts and actions kept everyone's record clean while the operation was underway. By dawn the entire village was surrounded, any militants who had not fled in the ensuing chaos were now backed into a corner. In charge of locating the remaining insurgents was Lieutenant Ed Jones whom, in respect for local Afghan customs and culture, sought the permission of the local village elder before they conducted their sweep of the area. The Elder was all too happy to oblige, and via way of a translator conveyed his relief that his village was free from what is best described as "tyranny". As the soldiers went house to house, the villagers admitted that they had been made to feed and house the insurgents who had invaded their village by force. Hearing their plight, Lieutenant Jones took the time to explain to the villagers how little respect the insurgents held for their well being. He stressed how little the insurgents offer to them and went over various ways that they can find courage to stand against them should the need arise. As the day lingered on, Jones and his men continued to witnessed the cruelty that these people had to endure. Ready to be relieved by an oncoming ISAF convoy, the Lieutenant held what was perhaps the last "mini-shura" as he had termed it for the day. A group of five to ten people talking about the problems posed to the village and how to take proactive steps against them.
As the convoy neared it's arrival, Lieutenant Jone's "Fondouk Squadron" gathered back to their vehicles and were preparing to leave when, due to mud build up, one vehicle lost its tracks. As the Squadron scrambled to get the vehicle repaired, the remainder of the insurgents saw the opportunity they were waiting for and opened fire. Nearby villagers whom had stepped up to offer aid to the leaving troops were hard-pressed to find cover as rounds hissed over their heads. If it was not yet apparent how little the insurgents cared for them, it was now. The soldiers immediately put suppressive fire on the hostile positions as several of them raced to protect the villagers and guide them to the Squadron's medics in case they sustained injuries. Nearby ISAF troops were hastily converging on the insurgents position and at lightning speed, Lieutenant Jones' men were as well. Intimidated by the solders willingness to advance, even while under fire, the shooting stopped. Supposing that the insurgents were now perhaps trapped, the soldiers moved closer to finish the fight. What transpired next was one of the most damnable acts in war some of these men might ever lay eyes on.
"We saw them lower their weapons and retreat into compounds using children as their shields. We will not fire on them in that situation. Protecting the people is always at the front of our minds. But we moved closer so we could identify the compounds they were hiding in."
Overall, the operation was an overwhelming success. Although the Afghanistan Military, notably their police force, has received extensive criticism in the past. The ANCOP performed their part admirably. It was a joint operation from beginning to finish, with both sides planning and carrying it out together. Not only was the nearby countryside temporarily relieved from attacks, but they were able to show the people that there is an alternative to the insurgents' intimidation of the weak, the young, and the elderly. As the soldiers left with their job finished, the villagers now know that they hold the true power lays. The insurgents are afraid of the people, because when they are united, they have to power to reject them, to crush them and completely drive them out. |
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