"I think they're hiding in little nooks," said a captain of the 82nd Airborne Division. American soldiers "would clear a cave, announce it good and blow it, and then the next day see a guy coming out of the same cave." The 82nd have been searching and blasting caves throughout the region to prevent rebel fighters from seeking shelter there again.
"Operation Mongoose" started in late January when about 500 U.S. soldiers were sent to the area around the mountain, called Adi Ghar to engage a 60- 80 strong rebel force in an area honeycombed with caves. U.S. soldiers attacked while American and coalition aircraft struck enemy positions. At least 18 enemy fighters were killed in the attack. It was the fiercest battle in Afghanistan since Operation Anaconda last spring. After the battle, troops found what they believe was a supply hub for enemy forces in the area, a group of caverns containing stockpiles of everything from cooking oil to boots to rockets. Nine days later, all 75 caves in the area had been cleared and destroyed by soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division. |
