British take out Taliban commander

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- A raid by the British Royal Marines has taken out a Taliban bunker in Afghanistan and disrupted any militant plans to target the highly critical Kajaki Dam.

The British 45 Commando Royal Marines' Victor Company recently led an operation in the mountainous region of Kajaki in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province under the cover of night, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

The British unit caught the Taliban unit by surprise, raiding the compound with a ground assault, artillery and an air attack with precision guided bombs. The successful raid caused a major disruption to the Taliban's ability to target the Kajaki Dam, vital to farming and thousands of people in Helmand province.

Officials say the raid also resulted in the death of an alleged Taliban commander.

"This raid was well planned and executed with ruthless precision," Lt. Col. Jim Morris, commanding officer of 45 Commando, said in a statement.

"Defense of the Kajaki Hydro Electric Station is a task of strategic importance. The power it produces is vital to sustain the livelihoods of the Afghan people who live in Helmand and Kandahar."