Exploring Afghanistan's Myriad Side Ops: Uncovering The Country's Hidden Missions

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain features side ops that players can complete for extra money and Mother Base units. These side ops are unlocked as the player beats other Side Ops and missions. While the exact number of side ops in Afghanistan is unknown, one source estimates that there are 120 side ops in Afghanistan, with 80 in Africa.

Prisoner Extraction 1: Find and extract a prisoner from the Eastern Communications Post

Prisoner Extraction Side Ops are a series of missions in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. In these missions, the player is tasked with finding and extracting prisoners from various locations. These missions can be tricky to unlock, as the conditions are not always known, but they can appear as the player progresses through the game or obtains certain upgrades.

This Side Op is available after completing Side Ops #5. Bring DD with you to use his sniffing skills to locate the prisoner. The prisoner is located in the main shed in the centre of the outpost and is guarded by a single soldier. Get behind the building and lure the lone soldier outside by creating a noise distraction, then neutralise them. Once the guard is out of the picture, enter the shed, grab the prisoner, and extract them outside of the area when it is safe. Alternatively, if replaying the mission, you can have DD use the Tactical Fulton to extract the prisoner.

The Eastern Communications Post is also featured in Episode 33: [Subsistence] C2W, where the player must destroy the Soviet comms equipment to prevent reinforcements from being sent between outposts.

Prisoner Extraction 2: Extract a prisoner from a well-protected base

Prisoner Extraction 2 is a Side Op in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. It is unlocked after completing Side Ops #47 and Side Ops #27. The prisoner is located on the second floor of the main building at Da Shago Kallai. The building is heavily guarded, so caution is advised when infiltrating.

To reach the prisoner, climb up the northern wall to reach the second floor (neutralize the guard on the roof first). Once you've found the prisoner, use the Tactical Fulton option for DD to extract the prisoner.

If you are having trouble with this Side Op, it may be because you have not completed the required Side Ops to unlock it. Ensure you have completed Side Ops #47 and Side Ops #27 before attempting Prisoner Extraction 2.

Additionally, there is a rotation of Side Ops that must be completed in a specific order for Prisoner Extraction 2 to become available again. The rotation is as follows: Extract the Highly Skilled Soldier 02 -> Eliminate the Wandering Puppets 03 -> Eliminate the Wandering Puppets 07 -> Eliminate the Wandering Puppets 09 -> Prisoner Extraction 2.

Extract The Highly-Skilled Soldier 01: Extract a sniper and his two companions

In Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, 'Extract the Highly-Skilled Soldier 01' is a side op that becomes available after completing Mission 3. The objective is to restrain and Fulton a well-trained enemy soldier. The soldier is located in the area south of the Yakho Oboo Supply Outpost and west of Outpost 8.

To complete the mission, it is recommended to bring DD along, though he won't be available early in the game. The highly-skilled soldier is a sniper stationed on top of a hill just south of the Yakho Oboo Outpost. Approaching the bridge from the southeast will result in the sniper shooting you down, so it is advised to avoid the southern bridge and take the southwestern road instead.

Make your way up the hill to find the sniper and his two companions watching over the southeast road. Sneak up on the sniper's companions and neutralize them. Once they are taken care of, take down the sniper and prepare to extract all three targets back to Mother Base.

The reward for completing this mission is 30000 GMP and a new crew member.

Secure the RIOT SMG Blueprint: Interrogate a lone soldier in Da Wialo Kallai to find the blueprint

To secure the RIOT SMG Blueprint in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, players must complete Side Ops #5 – "Secure the RIOT SMG Blueprint". This side operation is located in the village of Da Wialo Kallai, also known as Wialo Village, in the south of Afghanistan.

The blueprint is hidden in a shed/cottage in the eastern section of the village. Players can either interrogate enemy soldiers to find the exact location or sneak into the shed, which is relatively unguarded. The blueprint case can be found behind a couch inside the shed.

Completing this side operation rewards players with 30,000 GMP and the new RIOT SMG Blueprint, which allows them to research and unlock the RIOT SMG, a unique submachine gun that fires rubber bullets to stun enemies rather than kill them.

It is worth noting that some players have reported a bug where the blueprint does not appear in the specified location or in the list of side ops. In such cases, it is recommended to complete other side ops near Da Wialo Kallai village and return to the ACC (chopper) to update the side ops list until Side Ops #5 becomes available.

Eliminate Heavy Infantry 01: Use a launcher to take out two heavily armoured troops in a guard post

To complete the "Eliminate Heavy Infantry 01" side op in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, you must take out two heavily armoured troops stationed at guard post #12 in Afghanistan. Here are some strategies to accomplish this mission:

Stealth and Close-Quarters Combat (CQC)

The two guards are spread far apart, so you can attempt stealth kills or knockouts. Be cautious if using weapons, as their armour is thick. You can choke them or use CQC to eliminate them quietly.

Weapons and Equipment

• Rocket launcher or grenade launcher: If you want to attack from a distance, a rocket launcher or grenade launcher can be effective. Try to perform the attack away from the guard post to avoid alarming other soldiers.
• Stun/smoke/sleep grenades: These non-lethal options can incapacitate the guards without killing them.
• Sniper rifle: An armour-piercing sniper rifle can be used for lethal takedowns. Quiet, your AI companion, can also be equipped with a regular sniper rifle to provide support.
• Vehicles: Running over the guards with a vehicle will result in a lethal takedown.
• Rocket arm or bionic arm: The rocket arm can knock out multiple guards at once, while the bionic arm can be used for a straight punch.
• EM net: Shooting an EM net with a gun when the guards are nearby will set it off and incapacitate them.
• Gas mine: Placing a gas mine in their vicinity can be an effective area-of-effect tactic.
• Sleep gas dispersal: Using sleep gas in the area can neutralise the guards without direct engagement.
• Decoy: Inflating a decoy when a guard is standing next to it will result in a stun.
• Stealth Camouflage: This equipment allows you to punch the guards without being detected.
• D-Dog: Your canine companion, D-Dog, can be used to kill or stun the guards on command.

Extraction

After eliminating or incapacitating the guards, you have the option to extract them for Mother Base if they possess desirable stats or abilities.

Frequently asked questions