In the past week Western, Afghan and NATO troops have been bombarding the Kandahar Province in an attempt to destroy the Taliban stronghold and smoke out the leaders. A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, a relatively new multiple rocket system has aided them in this attack. This rocket system is extremely accurate. Many of the Taliban leaders have retreated through the border into the Pakistani soil. The recent disruptions of the supply trucks have ensured that immediate retaliation from the Taliban is not possible. Recent increase in the number of troops deployed in Afghanistan has made it possible for the troops to launch attacks in different areas of the province simultaneously.
Beginning last August, the troops aided by the Afghan military have been attacking the province of Kandahar from all directions at the same time. Initially, they had met with stiff resistance. By the mid of this month, they had reached the horn of Panjwai, one of the most notorious of areas, known widely for being home to command posts, courts and mining of the Taliban. They launched air attacks over this narrow piece of land over the last weekend causing more alarm and confusion among the commanders of the militant group.
Military officials and locals say that the fast paced intense attacks have left the militants dazed as they struggle to hold command over their own troops. There have been recent reports of senior commanders refusing to follow orders of their leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar and trained suicide bombers failing to show up for attacks. The reports say that the militant group is losing heart by the huge amount of casualties in the recent month.
The Taliban, however, say that their forces have tactically retreated, choosing to concentrate on other areas. They plan on waiting till the allied troops are exhausted before striking again. They have surprised the American troops in the past by resurfacing in areas that were supposed to be evacuated of their presence.
