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UK troops help smash Taleban base | UK troops help smash Taleban base |
(about 5 hours later) | |
An operation by British and Afghan government forces to destroy a Taleban stronghold was a "great success", according to the Ministry of Defence. | An operation by British and Afghan government forces to destroy a Taleban stronghold was a "great success", according to the Ministry of Defence. |
More than 250 UK Nato forces took part in the operation in Garmsir, regarded as a gateway to the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan. | More than 250 UK Nato forces took part in the operation in Garmsir, regarded as a gateway to the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan. |
The MoD said a complex of Taleban bases had been demolished. | The MoD said a complex of Taleban bases had been demolished. |
Lt Col Rob MaGowan said: "We achieved our objective of destroying and clearing Taliban compounds." | Lt Col Rob MaGowan said: "We achieved our objective of destroying and clearing Taliban compounds." |
'Trench network' | 'Trench network' |
Marines are extracted from Garmsir after a successful operation | Marines are extracted from Garmsir after a successful operation |
There were no British or Afghan government casualties, but it was not possible to say how many Taliban fighters were killed or injured, the MoD said. | |
Operation Glacier 4 was launched on the evening of Saturday 17 February against three bases, all of which were destroyed, it continued. | Operation Glacier 4 was launched on the evening of Saturday 17 February against three bases, all of which were destroyed, it continued. |
It said a "significant" trench and tunnel network linking them was also smashed in the mission, which carried on until Sunday morning. | It said a "significant" trench and tunnel network linking them was also smashed in the mission, which carried on until Sunday morning. |
For the first time the UK Task Force was supported by artillery units from the Afghan National Army (ANA). | For the first time the UK Task Force was supported by artillery units from the Afghan National Army (ANA). |
The area around Garmsir is known to shelter insurgents and UK and Afghan government forces have come under daily attack from mortars and small arms. | The area around Garmsir is known to shelter insurgents and UK and Afghan government forces have come under daily attack from mortars and small arms. |
The town is largely deserted after much of the population was displaced. | The town is largely deserted after much of the population was displaced. |
Major Jules Wilson, who co-ordinated the operation, said the terrain was "almost like a First World War battlefield". | Major Jules Wilson, who co-ordinated the operation, said the terrain was "almost like a First World War battlefield". |
Marines fire on Taliban positions in the town of Garmsir | Marines fire on Taliban positions in the town of Garmsir |
He added: "This operation aimed to disrupt Taleban activity, deny them their sanctuary and destroy the defensive positions they have routinely been using to launch attacks against Afghan security forces." | He added: "This operation aimed to disrupt Taleban activity, deny them their sanctuary and destroy the defensive positions they have routinely been using to launch attacks against Afghan security forces." |
The attack began with artillery and air assaults against the three compounds. | The attack began with artillery and air assaults against the three compounds. |
UK troops then launched a ground offensive. They discovered what the MoD described as "an extensive trench and underground bunker system" connecting the bases. | UK troops then launched a ground offensive. They discovered what the MoD described as "an extensive trench and underground bunker system" connecting the bases. |
The trenches were up to 40m (131ft) long, a metre (3.2ft) wide and more than 2m (6.4ft) deep, a statement continued. | The trenches were up to 40m (131ft) long, a metre (3.2ft) wide and more than 2m (6.4ft) deep, a statement continued. |