Battle of Lashkagar

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Lashkagar
partof=the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)


caption=
date=March 29, 2006
place=Helmand province, Afghanistan
result= Coalition victory.Fact|date=June 2008
combatant1=Coalition: flag|United States,
flag|Canada,
flagicon|United Kingdom United Kingdom,
flagicon|Afghanistan Afghan National Army
combatant2=flagicon|Afghanistan|Taliban Taliban insurgents
commander1=
commander2=
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=10 killed, 4 wounded
casualties2=32 killed

The Battle of Lashkagar was a military engagement that took place on March 29, 2006. [ [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060329.wsoldier0329/BNStory/National/ Globeandmail: "Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan"] ]

A significant number of Taliban militants mounted a frontal assault on a United States-led forward operating base in Helmand province near the town of Lashkagar using small arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars. Coalition forces repelled the assault in the end.

The fighting began when the Taliban attacked an Afghan National Army resupply convoy near the base. A quick reaction force of Canadian troops were sent to a forward base in the area by helicopter. They were lent backup by British fighter jets, U.S. helicopters and B-52 bombers. The Taliban then redirected their attack on the base. Heavy fighting ensued and some of the fighting was almost hand to hand. The base was almost overrun but thanks to coalition air support the base was defended.

42 people were killed in the battle: 32 Taliban fighters and 8 Afghan, 1 U.S. and 1 Canadian soldier.

References