Apache strike kills Taliban commander 05.01.12
72A senior insurgent has been killed in an Apache air strike during a joint British and Afghan operation that has dealt a decisive blow to the Taliban command structure.
Soldiers from D Company 5th Battalion the Rifles and their partners from the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) conducted Operation Cobra Hunt in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
More than 40 Riflemen and ANSF set out to disrupt the insurgency and gather intelligence on Taliban leaders in the area. After just two hours Taliban fighters opened fire on the troops.
One of the fighters -- later identified as a senior commander in the area - was killed by a Hellfire missile from a supporting Apache gunship, allowing 5 RIFLES soldiers and the ANA troops to finish their intelligence gathering mission.
Captain Ben Worley, D Company fire support team commander, says the strike will have damaged the insurgent command structure in the area.
He said: "An insurgent of this calibre is hard to find, and this has been a decisive blow to the insurgency here. It was a great start to the operation and will set the conditions for the future of D Company in the Kopak area."
Bombardier Joe Harris, tactical air controller for D Company, said: "We had tracked this guy for some time before finally getting into position to strike. It was a relief to finally get him as he had been firing at our lads on the ground and could have caused casualties."
Major Matt Baker, commanding D Company, said: "We clearly took them by surprise because. After we hit them with the Apache they just didn't want to know anymore, and were in a state of shock for about 30 minutes.
"The Afghan police are now in a position to take lead responsibility for security in Babaji. I've been genuinely impressed by them and know they are ready to take over."
Major Chris Bisset, Army Air Corps, is the Officer Commanding the UK Apache Squadron.
He said: "This is a good example of why the Apache attack helicopter is deployed to support troops on the ground in Afghanistan. The British Army Air Corps Apaches are flown by Army pilots who have a very good understanding of what the ground commander is trying to achieve.
"This insurgent had been attempting to shoot at coalition troops over a sustained period. By closely coordinating with the ground forces, we were able to engage him in a safe area, which then allowed the troops on the ground to return to their primary job of reassuring and protecting the local population."
PICTURES: Ministry of Defence (Moment Hellfire missile fired from Apache gunship takes out Taliban commander during Operation Cobra Hunt)