America's North Shore Journal

ISAF

Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, are braving cold weather and fresh snow to clear insurgent forces and help Afghan citizens in Paktika Province this month.

Operation Rad Wa Barq Sham Shad, led by the 203rd “Thunder” Corps of the Afghan National Army, began Dec. 2 and is a push to clear insurgent fighters from several districts in the western portion of the province, as well as connect the population to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

“We’re conducting this operation to bring more stability to the area” said Afghan Col. Mohammed Gul, spokesperson for the ANA 203rd Corps. “We will be looking for insurgent forces and will eliminate the enemies of Afghanistan who offer nothing but death and destruction.”

The operation also marks the first major operation conducted between the ANA and the Polish Battle Group. Polish soldiers have been stationed in western Paktika for the past 8 months, and although they have routinely worked side-by-side with the ANA, the scope of Operation Sham Shad exceeds any previous co-operation.

“Working with the ANSF in this capacity is amazing,” said Polish Maj. Justyn Lyzwa, an intelligence officer from the 6th Airborne Brigade, Polish Battle Group. “They are natural born soldiers and our cooperation is going to make this mission successful.”

While the operation will initially focus on eliminating the insurgent presence from the area, the bigger goal of the operation is to allow the people to work with their government in developing the area.

“We are working to bring peace and establish progress,” added Gul. “We’ll be providing medical supplies, food, and other humanitarian aid. We will also host shuras, where the locals will request new schools, clinics and bridges from their government. For this reason, the people support the ANSF 100 percent and we will succeed.”

Operation Sham Shad is an ongoing operation that will last until mid-December.