One of the largest hauls of weapons, explosives and bomb-making equipment ever found in southern Afghanistan has been uncovered by the Royal Marines in a huge underground cavern in Kandahar province, the Ministry of Defence disclosed yesterday.

The hidden bomb factory was discovered after a night-time assault last week on a Taleban compound which involved elements of 42 Commando Royal Marines, a Royal Canadian battle group and Afghan troops.

In an operation codenamed Shahi Tandar (Royal Storm), the combined troops launched a helicopter and ground assault on an isolated Taleban stronghold to the north of Kandahar city. During a search of 50 compounds and other buildings, the coalition troops seized eight insurgents and a massive stockpile of weapons, including AK47s, grenades, anti-personnel mines and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Hidden in the underground cavern were all the ingredients for making improvised explosive devices, such as pressure-plate triggers, explosives, detonators, fuses and ball-bearings, used to create shrapnel. A store of 20 kilos of opium was also discovered.

During the operation which lasted for two days, a Canadian soldier was killed.

The Marines from 42 Commando were used in the operation because they are serving as a regional battle group, based at Kandahar airport, and can be deployed anywhere in southern Afghanistan.

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