KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Coalition troops launched a massive assault on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan and were able to push militants out of some areas they had controlled, the coalition said in a statement.
About 500 troops were involved in the operation, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force announced Tuesday.
The coalition used more than 25 aircraft to drop hundreds of troops into the area at about midnight June 19.
The troops, mostly from the United States and Britain, were able to secure three main crossing points in the area and will work to create checkpoints in an effort to stifle the movement of insurgents, the military release said.
The troops were also able to confiscate more than a ton of poppy seeds and parts that could be used for roadside bombs.
"This has been a major air assault operation with a large number of helicopters by the both UK and U.S. The Black Watch met some resistance but we were able to establish a firm foothold in the area," said Lt. Col. Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer of The Black Watch, a Scottish fighting regiment involved in the operation.
The military credited the recent new strategy in Afghanistan of increasing troop levels in helping with operation.
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