Free Republic

They are smoking the rats out of their holes. The joint American-Pakistani military offensive, launched recently in the rugged Afghan-Pakistani border region, is making life difficult for Islamist forces. About 2,000 of the 12,000 American troops stationed in Afghanistan are involved in the action, dubbed “Operation Avalanche,” to eliminate the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and other armed Islamist groups, and to capture their leaders.

<p>WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. military is planning a spring offensive against remnants of the Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan, a senior Defense Department official said Wednesday.</p> <p>Officials have ordered troops, supplies and logistics into place to carry out the operation, the official said. The official did not say if the new offensive would require more troops.</p>

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The U.S. military is trying to strike back in a big way against insurgents in Afghanistan. The military is planning to conduct its biggest-ever operation in Afghanistan against Taliban remnants and al-Qaida fighters. The offensive will mobilize thousands of soldiers in the most dangerous parts of the country. Four battalions totaling about 2,000 soldiers are to take part in the operation, dubbed "Avalanche," in southern and eastern Afghanistan, a military spokesman said. The region has seen increased violence against aid workers, U.S. soldiers and Afghan government officials. The spokesman indicates soldiers will operate in secret and that...

Dear Lord, There's a young man far from home, called to serve his nation in time of war; sent to defend our freedom on some distant foreign shore. We pray You keep him safe, we pray You keep him strong, we pray You send him safely home ... for he's been away so long. There's a young woman far from home, serving her nation with pride. Her step is strong, her step is sure, there is courage in every stride. We pray You keep her safe, we pray You keep her strong, we pray You send her safely home...