In April of 2002, the CENTCOM CDR approved a contingency plan titled “BLUNT SWORD.” This CONPLAN called for the forced entry into the Grozny area by elements of the Special Operations Command, with early entry forces pulled from the 1-25 IBCT and the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT). The purpose of the operations was to restore order, assist in the establishment of a legitimate military, and see to the free and fair election of a local government...

Phase II (Clarify and Act): The decisive effort for this phase was to be 1-25 IBCT. Using their RSTA SQDN and digitized IN Battalions, the 1-25 was to develop the situation and begin combat operations against those forces identified as hostile to the US and its coalition partners. The 101st was to be a shaping effort, arriving in theatre prepared to act on the intelligence gathered by the 1-25 IBCT. Additional shaping efforts were the TF 1-60 and 313th SQDN who would secure air superiority and support the 1-25 IBCT with rotary-winged aircraft. The sustaining effort would be the 18th CSG operating from the ISB in Georgia and the 10th MTN DIV upon their arrival in theatre.

a. Enemy. Forces loyal to break away insurgent leader Bashayev have occupied positions in critical areas in western Grozny (OLYMPIA). These forces are supporting terrorist activity throughout the Caucus Mountain area and have recently been linked to the Al Queda [sic] group on an international scale. The NCA believes that Bashayev has directed this occupation in an attempt to bring coalition forces into direct combat operations with his fighters. By doing so he hopes to create mass US casualties, increase the collateral damage within Grozny, and force coalition forces to deal with the civilian population in a violent manner. It is expected that the enemy in Eastern Grozny is from Bashayev’s own elite Islamic Mercenary Unit (IMU). The IMU has followed Bashayev since his participation in the Soviet-Afghanistan conflict and is considered one of the most combat hardened elements in the world. We can expect them to use standard Chechen tactics to maintain control of these key areas for as long as they possibly can. They will take losses, but not to the point of annihilation; Bashayev intends to maintain his core group of fighters for use later. These fighters are also key to his role within the Chechen resistance as they provide him prestige within the Islamic Council that now runs the conflict.