US launches 'champion strike' operation
US forces have launched a large-scale operation in southeastern Afghanistan aimed at Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network.
Operation Champion Strike began a few days ago and is centred in the Bermel valley near the town of Shkin about 150 miles south of the capital Kabul, US Army spokesman Major Richard Patterson said.
Shkin is located in Paktika province on the border with Pakistan.
Because Champion Strike was an ongoing operation, Patterson said he could provide only limited details. He would not say when Champion Strike was launched or when it would end.
However, Patterson said there has been one firefight involving US soldiers since the operation began. There were no US casualties nor deaths among the enemy, he said.
Soldiers taking part in the operation have detained a number of people, Patterson said.
US forces have also seized weapons caches, which included assault weapons, landmines and rockets, Patterson said.
