Operation Sond Chara
British soldiers of the Royal Marines' 42nd Commando during Operation Sond Chara
| date | 11-26 December 2008 |
|---|---|
| place | Province Helmand , Afghanistan |
| output | Mission objectives achieved |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
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| Commander | |
|
Brigadier General Gordon Messenger |
--- |
| Troop strength | |
| 1,500 (UK) 140 (Estonia) |
Unknown |
| losses | |
|
5 fallen British |
about 100 (according to NATO) |
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Operation Sond Chara ( Red Dagger in Pashtun ) was a military operation to drive the Taliban out of the area around the city of Nad-e-Ali in Helmand Province. The operation was part of a large-scale Helmand campaign by ISAF forces that began in June 2006 and continues to this day. The operation began on December 11th, 2008 and lasted until December 26th. Soldiers involved in the operation later referred to it as the Close Quarters Battle . In the pre-Christmas offensive, 1,500 British soldiers were supported by Danish, Estonian and Afghan armed forces. The attack began on December 7, 2008 at night against Taliban forces in a village south of the field of operations.
The purpose of the offensive was to secure the area around Laschkar Gah , the capital of Helmand after a surge in insurgent attacks in the province.
Brigadier General Gordon Messenger described the operation as very successful. Around 100 Taliban fighters, including one of their leaders, were killed. Furthermore, large amounts of opium and a large number of IEDs could be rendered harmless. On the British side there were five dead.
Associations involved
The list shows the units involved in the operation.
- 42 Commando Royal Marines
- C Company of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
- 1. The Queen's Dragoon Guards
- B Company 1 RIFLES
- 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
- 24th Commando Regiment Royal Engineers
- Armored Support Group Royal Marines
- Estonian Armed Forces
- Danish Army - Jydske Dragon Regiment
- Afghan National Army
