The New York Times reports that in the newly won districts around Kandahar, American forces are encountering empty homes and farm buildings left so heavily booby-trapped by Taliban insurgents that the Americans have been systematically destroying hundreds of them, according to local Afghan authorities.
The campaign, a major departure from NATO practice in past military operations, is intended to reduce civilian and military casualties by removing the threat of booby traps and denying Taliban insurgents hiding places and fighting positions, American military officials said.
In the most fiercely contested areas, especially in Zhare District, but also in parts of neighboring Panjwai and Arghandab Districts, American troops have been routinely destroying almost every unoccupied home or unused farm building in areas where they are operating.
Responding to questions about whether house demolitions contradicted counterinsurgency strategy, Col. Hans E. Bush, a press aide speaking on behalf of General Petraeus, said the steps had been taken to safeguard the local residents.
