Taliban bomb factory raided in Kandahar

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A British and Canadian raid on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan resulted in the uncovering of a weapons cache and bomb-making factory.

The British 42 Commando Group Royal Marines and 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group supported an Afghan National Security Forces operation targeting a Taliban militant compound in the volatile city of Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

The raid, which took place during the night when International Security Assistance Forces have a tactical advantage with night-vision technologies, involved a helicopter assault followed by a ground operation. Officials say equipment for constructing roadside bombs and other explosive threats was uncovered. Troops confiscated a large stockpile of weapons during the operation.

"The operation was a true coalition success, with the agility of a helicopter-borne Royal Marines Commando Company being used to surprise and unhinge the Taliban whilst supported by Canadian Ground Maneuver," Lt. Col. Charlie Stickland, Royal Marines 42 Commando Group commanding officer, said in a statement.

"The men of 42 Commando Group now have a reputation across southern Afghanistan for having a 'ferret-like' nose for weapon caches."

Despite the success of the operation, which included the arrest of several Taliban operatives, a Canadian soldier was killed in the raid.