Afghan and coalition forces launched Operation Mountain Thrust, a major anti-Taliban operation 2 weeks ago, killing 149, wounding 32, and capturing terrorists described by Afghanistan as “enemies of peace and safety of our people.”

The objective of this operation was to “track enemies of peace, neutralize their terrorist activities and provide security for a safe atmosphere for reconstruction in the southern and southwestern parts” of Afghanistan. It was the first time the fledgling army had fielded more than 3000 Afghan soldiers participated in the operation under a US-led force. The operation was also the largest one in southern Afghanistan since the Taliban were removed from government in late 2001 by a coalition led by the United States.