UK troops launch 'major' Afghan operation
UK troops launch 'major' Afghan operation
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Saturday, 15, Jul 2006 07:42
The British army has today been involved in securing a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan, in one of the biggest operations since the regime was ousted in 2001.
Three hundred UK troops took part in the attack upon Sangin in the troubled Helmand province, as the US-led coalition continues its efforts to drive militants out from their mountain bases.
Sangin has long been regarded as not only a military stronghold but a base of operations for the Taliban's opium smuggling, a key source of its revenue.
The total number of troops involved in securing the town is said to be over 1,000, with US and Canadian troops also involved.
Sangin is now being safely sealed off and there are no reported army fatalities, although two British soldiers were injured and at least ten Taliban fighters are thought to have been killed.
Six British troops have been killed in Helmand since the army was deployed there, and the defence secretary, Des Browne, has confirmed that their ranks will be soon swelled by 900 to 4,400.
This is despite the fact that the coalition intends to hand over the running over the southern regions to Nato peacekeepers by autumn, although if unrest continues in Helmand this deadline is unlikely to be met.
In separate offensive earlier today, US troops killed 31 Taliban fighters in the neighbouring Uruzgan province.