Thousands of US Marines have poured into Taliban territory in Afghanistan on a lightning mission to take land that has eluded overstretched NATO forces for years.

They are calling it Operation Khandar – or Strike of the Sword – and commanders say they are going into Helmand Province “big, strong and fast.” Already, US Marines, Afghan troops and police say they have captured the district of Khanishin in the south of the Taliban stronghold. A spokesman said there was no resistance. But the Pentagon has confirmed that an American soldier was captured before the operation began.More about: Afghanistan, Military

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