Operation Shahi Tandar

Operation Shahi Tandar
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Map of Afghanistan showing Kandahar province
Date January 7, 2009 – January 31, 2009 Location Kandahar Province, Afghanistan Result Coalition victory
Belligerents
Coalition: United Kingdom Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Canada	Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Charlie Stickland	Unknown
Strength
700–1,000	Unknown
Casualties and losses
2 killed	"Several hundred killed" (ISAF claim) 8 captured

Operation Shahi Tandar, also called Operation Atal, was a series of operations by Coalition troops from the British 42 Commando Royal Marines, Royal Canadian Regiment, 2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry Regiment (United States), and the Afghan national military in central Helmand province and the Western Panjwayi and Western Zhari districts of Kandahar, Afghanistan from January 7–31, 2009.

One raid targeted a Taliban bomb-making factory in the Khakrez and Shah Wali Khot districts of Kandahar, Afghanistan, January 7–9, 2009. In the raid, conducted by helicopter and armored vehicles, the coalition troops seized six large tubs of explosives along with 38 pressure plates used to detonate hidden mines. Also seized were 3,000 rounds of ammunition, AK47s, anti-personnel mines and 22 rocket-propelled grenades.

The coalition troops reported that they captured eight Taliban bomb-makers and found 20 kg of opium with an estimated street value in Britain of £130,000. A Canadian soldier, Trooper Brian Good, 42, was killed by a booby trap during the operation. Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Strickland, commander of the 42 Commandos, stated that the operation had "dealt a serious blow" to the Taliban insurgency.

In another operation, approximately 700 troops from the Afghan National Army, and British, Danish, and Canadian forces cleared a Taliban stronghold near Spin Masjid, north of Lashkar Gar. In the 10-day battle, the coalition claimed to have killed or chased away "hundreds" of Taliban insurgents, killed several Taliban leaders, and disarmed 15 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). One British soldier, Corporal Danny Nield of 1st Battalion The Rifles, was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), possibly fired by an Afghan National Army soldier. In addition to the Rifles, British forces included the 24 Commando Royal Engineers.

References

• Harding, Thomas (13 January 2009). "Commandos smash Taliban bomb factory" (Newspaper article). London Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
• International Security Assistance Force (13 January 2009). "Joint ANSF, ISAF operation disrupts IED networks in Kandahar" (Press release). NATO. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
• International Security Assistance Force (6 February 2009). "ANSF and ISAF disrupt terrorist bomb-making network" (Press release). NATO. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
• Rayment, Sean (8 February 2009). "Taliban Stronghold Destroyed By British And Afghan Forces After 10 Day Battle" (Newspaper article). Sunday Telegraph. London. Retrieved 9 February 2009.