ZHARI DISTRICT, Kandahar – Just a few months ago, US troops struggled to leave their bases in Zhari District, Kandahar. Insurgent ambushes were seemingly around every corner.

But after a massive clearing operation in September, that has changed and now the soldiers of the 1-502 Infantry Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division are now pushing deeper into the Taliban stronghold.

During the clearing operation, US and Afghan troops killed hundreds of insurgents, while many others appear to have fled. Insurgents remain in Zhari, but they are no longer in control.

Hundreds of Afghans have returned to the area that has long been the spiritual home of the Taliban. Previously closed bazaars are reopening. Some Afghans are even signing up for cash for work programs cleaning out canals and repairing Zhari’s infrastructure.

Still, dangers remain and progress is patchy.

In the middle of a pomegranate field, US soldiers find a hidden, and by its appearance, a recently used Taliban bunker.

“Classic spot we get hit from a lot, ” said Lt Cory Donohoo.

Inside the small, closet like bunker, there is a pillow and firewood – a perfect spot for insurgents to launch attacks on patrolling US and Afghan troops.

With only a small amount of C4 explosives available, Staff Sgt. Brandon Griffis prepares to destroy the bunker.

“Hey 1-6,” Staff Sgt. Griffis yells out to Lt. Donohoo.  “I am just going to try to imploded it.”

Minutes later, a blast rocks the pomegranate field sending mud clumps for 100 yards.

Immediately, the US troops sense something wasn’t right.

“Whoa, that was a big blast,” one soldier yells out as the smoke and dust clears.
As Lt. Donohoo approaches the bunker, he sees that the compound hasn’t just imploded – it has been totally destroyed. So too has the surrounding wall.

Only a gigantic hole remains where the fighting position once stood.

“They actually had HME, which is their homemade explosive hidden in the bunker,” Lt Donohoo explains. “It was on the other side of the wall. Which caused the explosive to be a little bigger than we originally thought.”

Not only do we find a bed down location,” a smiling Lt Donohoo said, “but we got a couple of jugs of HME that would have been used for an IED.”

Even with one IED and bunker destroyed, the US troops move carefully back to their base – knowing full well that there are many more IEDs out there and danger lurks around every corner.

Click here for more reporting in Afghanistan from Conor.