In pictures: Afghan operations wind down

US-led forces are lowering the pace of their attacks on al-Qaeda and Taleban positions in mountains near the city of Gardez.

Although several hundred US soldiers have returned to their base at Bagram north of Kabul, around 1,000 Afghan troops are being sent in to continue Operation Anaconda.

Soldiers from the US Airborne and Mountain Divisions return to Bagram

The battles with Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters around Gardez were fierce

Once out of action, the soldiers catch up with the mail

The assault on Shah-i-Kot mountains continue from the air

Other soldiers are still battling Taleban and al-Qaeda pockets

While some soldiers rest, others prepare for combat

And action is joined as soldiers fire mortars at mountain targets