<

Canadian-Led Afghan Assault Kills 3
Thursday, March 14, 2002
(1:38 PM)
By Stephen Thorne
Canadian Press Writer

Lt.-Col. Pat Stogran, commanding the Canadian land forces in Afghanistan, is shown in Kandahar, Jan. 30, 2002.
Image Credit: Kevin Frayer -- The Canadian Press.

Master Cpl. Erik Kerr, a native of Edmonton, said he didn't feel bad that "Al Qaeda or Taliban guys got killed."



"I hope we get the rest of them before we go," Kerr said.



WITH CANADIAN TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN -- CP
Canadian and American troops attacked Al Qaeda positions in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan today, killing at least three enemy fighters in the Canadian-led offensive that began a day earlier.

The assault raged for about 90 minutes before the area was secured. There were no reports of Canadian or American casualties. One of the three Al Qaeda fighters killed had his head blown off.

The battle came on the second day of Operation Harpoon, which military headquarters officials said involves 500 Canadian and 100 U.S. troops in the mountainous areas south of Gardez, Paktia province. It is believed to be one of the biggest ground offensives by the Canadian Forces in recent decades.

"I think it went unexpectedly smooth," Sgt. Torry White, a native of Vancouver, said about Thursday's assault.

White was part of the Canadian reconnaissance platoon that discovered the Al Qaeda bunker-and-caves complex several kilometres from where the Canadians were dropped off by helicopters on Wednesday.

"When you put things in training into actual business they don't normally go as well. These guys (the Americans and Canadians) did an outstanding job. This was a textbook raid onto an enemy objective," White said.
(More: The Toronto Star News Source)
2002 © The Canadian Press.

Dan