Operation Khanjar is about to hit Helmand Valley in southeast Afghanistan. According to Marines, operation khanjar include more troops and resources they have ever used in Afghanistan. More than 4,000 Marines, with the help of gunship helicopters, entered the Helmand River valley on Thursday morning to take back the area from Taliban insurgent. Taliban have been harvesting poppy and opium in the valley to finance their insurgency against the Allied Forces. Afghan soldiers and police officials are also taking part in this operation.

On the other hand, Pakistan has also deployed forces to 1,600-mile long PAK-AFGHAN border to seal off a possible escape route for the rebels during operation khanjar. According to press Pakistan and American officials articulated worries that this operation could push insurgents into Pakistan, which is already fighting the Taliban fighter in several parts of the country.

The Marines will be approaching the area where NATO and Afghan troops have not reached yet and have no permanent presence.

British forces have been setting up “blocking positions” on different location including irrigation canal bridges to help the Marines and to stop the surge of Taliban’s during the operation khanjar.

President Obama cautioned Congressional leaders in last March that he would need more than $50 billion in military budget for operations and development exertion.

Gun during Operation Khanjar

Operation Khanjar