You know the sound that a slot machine makes when you hit the jackpot. Imagine that sound as you read this post. 136 dead Talibs.
And recall that just last week command was expressing concerns about Iranian weapons being smuggled into Afghanistan. And, since Herat Province is swarming with Iranians and smugglers…
Central Command
U.S. Special Forces, accompanied by Afghan National Police and other Coalition members, identified and engaged several Taliban fighting positions 37 miles south of Shindand, Herat Province, while conducting a reconnaissance patrol April 29.
After gaining intelligence of Taliban activity in the Zerkoh Valley, Coalition and ANP forces maneuvered into positions to pinpoint and attack the Taliban fighters. Once in position, Coalition and ANP forces initiated the attack on the enemy positions with mortar, small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. A few hours later, additional Coalition and Afghan National Army soldier reinforcements arrived. A Coalition aircraft was requested and dropped multiple munitions on several identified enemy locations. As Taliban fighters attempted to flee, an AC-130 gunship engaged and killed 26 enemy fighters on both sides of the river valley.
A total of seven enemy positions were destroyed, and 87 Taliban fighters were killed during the 14-hour engagement.
Forty-eight hours earlier and under the cover of darkness, USSF and ANP patrolling near the village of Parmakan, in the Zerkoh Valley, received small arms and RPG fire from more than 70 Taliban fighters. During the engagement, 49 Taliban fighters, including two local Taliban leaders, were killed by a combination of small arms fire and close air support. One U.S. Soldier, previously reported on April 27, was also killed in the engagement.
Every precaution was taken to prevent injury to innocent Afghan civilians during the two battles, and there were no civilian injuries reported.
