Operation Avalanche (Afghanistan)


 * For other events called Operation Avalanche, see Operation Avalanche (disambiguation).

Operation Avalanche was a four-week U.S.-led offensive in December 2003 designed to disrupt a resurgence in militant activity in the southeastern territory of Afghanistan and to establish conditions for the provision of humanitarian aid. Described by the U.S. government as the biggest ground operation in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, the offensive led to the capture of more than 100 suspects and the deaths of 10. Two soldiers from the Afghan National Army were killed. The operation was marred by the accidental killings of 15 children in raids on suspected militants.

The operation involved 2,000 U.S. soldiers supported by Afghan troops, but failed to engage any Taliban or allied militants.

Patrols were conducted and caves searched over a 40 square mile (100 km²) area. Little of note was discovered in the caves.