BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- British-led coalition forces engaged in a major operation to sweep an area of southeastern Afghanistan for Taleban and Al-Qaeda fighters Saturday said they had yet to encounter any extremists. "Twenty percent of the area has been cleared," Lieutenant Colonel Paul Harradine told reporters here. He said reconnaissance teams taking part in operation snipe, which began Monday and involves around 1,000 coalition troops, had recovered several large weapons caches but encountered only "friendly" villagers, AFP reported. "Yesterday, (British marine unit) 45 commando found four caves and defense positions. One of the caves had several thousand rounds of 7.62mm ammunition in it. "Villagers come to speak to U.S.... they are very friendly, or appear to be very friendly, and very communicative" and say "there are no Al-Qaeda and Taleban in that area." Snipe is the largest combat action for the British troops since they began deploying in Afghanistan in March to back up U.S. and other coalition forces. The location has not been revealed, but it is taking place in "rough terrain" between 8,000 and 13,000 feet (up to 3,940 meters), officers have said.