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Operation Anaconda ends in eastern Afghanistan

U.S. Maj. Gen. Frank Hagenbeck

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Operation Anaconda -- the largest U.S.-led ground offensive since the Gulf War -- ended as American and Canadian forces pulled out of the Shah-e-kot region in eastern Afghanistan, the head of coalition forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday.

"The world's a safer place than it was on the second of March, when we inserted several thousand coalition forces -- including soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that put their lives on the line to confront al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists," said Maj. Gen. Frank L. Hagenbeck, commander of the coalition joint task force in Afghanistan.

Coalition forces have searched more than 30 caves in the region, Brig. Gen. John Rosa, deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Pentagon briefing Monday. They collected papers, weapons, ammunition and other items left behind by enemy fighters.

VIDEO CNN's Jamie McIntyre says as the operation winds down, the Pentagon's goals have shifted as well. Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Rosa said that, while Operation Anaconda is considered over, the U.S.-led operation against the Taliban and al Qaeda known as Operation Enduring Freedom continues.

"We're still actively pursuing al Qaeda and Taliban personnel throughout Afghanistan, and we're preparing for any subsequent missions that may be needed," he said.

Hagenbeck called Operation Anaconda a success on many levels.

"We destroyed hundreds of al Qaeda's most experienced fighters and trainers," he said. "We destroyed this base of terrorist operations and we eliminated their sanctuary."

U.S. officials said more than 500 Taliban and al Qaeda fighters have been confirmed killed since the offensive started at the beginning of March. Another 200 deaths have been reported but not confirmed. Eleven allied forces, including eight Americans, have been killed.