United States forces have launched an operation in southeast Afghanistan to nab members of the Al Qaeda.

Operation Valiant Strike began with an air assault just east of Kandahar, army officials said.

Around 1,000 troopers from the 82nd Airborne are handling the two-and-a-half day mission, focusing on three villages along the Pakistani border.

The operation was launched after radio transmissions coming from caves located in the hills surrounding the three villages were intercepted.