KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- British Royal Marines uncovered a major stockpile of weapons during a recent raid on a suspected Taliban compound in Afghanistan's volatile Kandahar province.
The British 42 Commando Group conducted a raid targeting the Taliban compound, along with troops from Afghanistan, Canada and the United States. Officials say the Marines flew in on Chinook helicopters and attacked the facility located in the Zhari-Panjwayi district of Kandahar province, the British Ministry of Defense said.
During the rapid helicopter assault troops uncovered a weapons cache that contained AK-47 automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-personnel mines and material to construct improvised explosive devices, among other lethal threats. Despite a growing Taliban insurgency, officials say International Security Assistance Forces are having an impact on the region.
"This was a deliberately bold and targeted operation, aimed at degrading the insurgent's capability in the area," Maj. Neil Willson, 42 Commando Group chief of staff, said in a statement.
"As ever, the speed and agility of the air maneuver and the thoroughness of the Marines' searching techniques proved a robust recipe for success. We dictate the pace of operations in this area, and the insurgent knows this."
Officials say the weapons uncovered were destroyed.
