LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A British Royal Marine-led operation targeting a Taliban command post in Afghanistan's Helmand province uncovered a major weapons cache.
British Royal Marines from the 45 Commando Group led a night raid on a Taliban operational base with support from Afghan National Army troops.
The raid, just over a mile north of Forward Operating Base Inkerman in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province, caught the militants off guard and resulted in a successful takeover of the compound, the British Ministry of Defense reported.
Officials say upon entering the compound -- a suspected improvised explosive device factory -- soldiers uncovered a large number of rifles, handguns and ammunition along with rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons.
"The Taliban were clearly caught off guard and were slow to react," Maj. Richard Parvin, company commander Y Company, 45 Commando Group, said in a statement.
"As the company advanced deeper into enemy territory, more and more weapons and explosives were uncovered."
