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Operation Lastay Kulang or Pickaxe Handle was a British-led NATO offensive in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. (The name of the operation is Pashto for "pickaxe-handle".) Lastay Kulang began on May 30 and ended on June 14, 2007, with 2000 ISAF and Afghan National Army troops taking part. The mission was a direct follow-up of Operation Achilles that ended on the same day.
Over 100 confirmed killed ~150+ (British estimates)[2]
At around 4:00 local time on May 30, 2007, ISAF and ANSF personnel advanced towards the village of Kajaki Sofle, ten kilometres south-west of the town of Kajaki, to remove a Taliban force whose presence threatened the security and stability of the Lower Sangin Valley. During the night, elements of the American 82nd Airborne Division mounted an aerial assault on a Taliban compound. One of the Chinook helicopters taking part in the raid was apparently hit by an RPG round and crashed, killing five Americans, a Briton and a Canadian on board.[3]
By June 2, NATO claimed to have surrounded several pockets of Taliban fighters. [4]
The Royal Engineers have also started several reconstruction projects in the area, such as digging irrigation ditches, to try to win over local support.
On June 5, a gun battle and air strikes killed an estimated two dozen Taliban fighters in Southern Afghanistan, the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan government reported.
Upwards of 80 Taliban fighters may have drowned in two separate incidents in early June, when the makeshift boats they were travelling on sank as they attempted to cross the Helmand River. The sinkings were witnessed by NATO helicopters.[5]
A British soldier was killed in a firefight at a Taliban compound to the north east of Gereshk on June 6. [6]
Another NATO soldier was killed in the south of the country that same day.
On June 8, a battle and air strikes in southern Afghanistan left 30 suspected Taliban dead or wounded, the Ministry of Defense reported.
Outcome
The outcome of "Lastay Kulang" is disputed. NATO spokespersons claimed the operation was a success, having cleared Sangin and Gereshk of Taliban and securing the Kajaki District. A new governor has been installed in Sangin and Shuras (councils) of tribal elders have been organised to hear their concerns. Conversely, the Taliban claim that they still control much of Kajaki, and some of the Sangin districts. These claims are confirmed by the local residents, who complain that the Taliban returned as soon as NATO and ANA troops had left, and that the security situation has not improved at all.[7]
operation, pickaxe, handle, this, article, lead, section, long, length, article, please, help, moving, some, material, from, into, body, article, please, read, layout, guide, lead, section, guidelines, ensure, section, will, still, inclusive, essential, detail. This article s lead section may be too long for the length of the article Please help by moving some material from it into the body of the article Please read the layout guide and lead section guidelines to ensure the section will still be inclusive of all essential details Please discuss this issue on the article s talk page January 2021 Operation Lastay Kulang or Pickaxe Handle was a British led NATO offensive in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan The name of the operation is Pashto for pickaxe handle Lastay Kulang began on May 30 and ended on June 14 2007 with 2000 ISAF and Afghan National Army troops taking part The mission was a direct follow up of Operation Achilles that ended on the same day Operation Pickaxe HandlePart of the War in Afghanistan 2001 2021 Airstrike in Sangin April 10 2007 DateMay 30 June 14 2007LocationHelmand province AfghanistanResultTactical Coalition victoryStrategic outcome unclearBelligerents United Kingdom Canada United States Estonia Denmark Norway Islamic Republic of AfghanistanTalibanCommanders and leadersMaj Gen Jacko PageTor Jan Haji Nika 1 Strength 1 000 500 150 Unknown Unknown Unknown UnknownTotal 2 000 1 000 insurgentsCasualties and losses7 killed 3 killed 24 wounded 2 1 killedOver 100 confirmed killed 150 British estimates 2 At around 4 00 local time on May 30 2007 ISAF and ANSF personnel advanced towards the village of Kajaki Sofle ten kilometres south west of the town of Kajaki to remove a Taliban force whose presence threatened the security and stability of the Lower Sangin Valley During the night elements of the American 82nd Airborne Division mounted an aerial assault on a Taliban compound One of the Chinook helicopters taking part in the raid was apparently hit by an RPG round and crashed killing five Americans a Briton and a Canadian on board 3 By June 2 NATO claimed to have surrounded several pockets of Taliban fighters 4 The Royal Engineers have also started several reconstruction projects in the area such as digging irrigation ditches to try to win over local support On June 5 a gun battle and air strikes killed an estimated two dozen Taliban fighters in Southern Afghanistan the U S led coalition and Afghan government reported Upwards of 80 Taliban fighters may have drowned in two separate incidents in early June when the makeshift boats they were travelling on sank as they attempted to cross the Helmand River The sinkings were witnessed by NATO helicopters 5 A British soldier was killed in a firefight at a Taliban compound to the north east of Gereshk on June 6 6 Another NATO soldier was killed in the south of the country that same day On June 8 a battle and air strikes in southern Afghanistan left 30 suspected Taliban dead or wounded the Ministry of Defense reported Outcome EditThe outcome of Lastay Kulang is disputed NATO spokespersons claimed the operation was a success having cleared Sangin and Gereshk of Taliban and securing the Kajaki District A new governor has been installed in Sangin and Shuras councils of tribal elders have been organised to hear their concerns Conversely the Taliban claim that they still control much of Kajaki and some of the Sangin districts These claims are confirmed by the local residents who complain that the Taliban returned as soon as NATO and ANA troops had left and that the security situation has not improved at all 7 See also EditBritish forces casualties in Afghanistan since 2001 International Security Assistance Force War in Afghanistan 2001 2021 Provincial reconstruction teamReferences Edit Our forgotten war telegraph co uk 2007 06 03 Retrieved 2007 06 27 a b Harding Thomas 2007 06 06 Afghanistan approaching all out war telegraph co uk Retrieved 2008 11 20 UK led operation helps ISAF take control in northern Helmand VIDEO mod uk 2007 05 31 Retrieved 2007 06 27 Taliban feel the pressure in northern Helmand mod uk 2007 06 02 Retrieved 2007 06 27 Knight Sam and agencies 2007 06 05 Osama sent me a letter says Taleban fighter www timesonline co uk Retrieved 2007 06 27 British soldier killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday mod uk 2007 06 06 Retrieved 2007 06 27 Helmand Residents Question NATO Success Claims www iwpr net IWPR 2007 06 19 Retrieved 2007 06 27 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Operation Pickaxe Handle amp oldid 1056791868, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
