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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK forces in major Afghan assault | UK forces in major Afghan assault |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| British soldiers have launched a major airborne assault on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan. | British soldiers have launched a major airborne assault on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan. |
| More than 350 troops from the Black Watch were dropped into Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, just after midnight local time on Friday. | More than 350 troops from the Black Watch were dropped into Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, just after midnight local time on Friday. |
| Twelve Chinook helicopters were used in Operation Panther's Claw which involved British and US air forces. | Twelve Chinook helicopters were used in Operation Panther's Claw which involved British and US air forces. |
| The Ministry of Defence has described it as one of the largest air operations in modern times. | The Ministry of Defence has described it as one of the largest air operations in modern times. |
| Air support | Air support |
| BBC News defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says the arrival of extra US troops in the south of Helmand province has helped make such an operation possible. | BBC News defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says the arrival of extra US troops in the south of Helmand province has helped make such an operation possible. |
| Map showing area of Operation Panther's Claw | |
| It has allowed British forces to focus on taking on the Taliban in their strongholds, and keep the ground they have won. | It has allowed British forces to focus on taking on the Taliban in their strongholds, and keep the ground they have won. |
| The MoD says the Black Watch fought off several attacks by insurgents, and secured three main crossing points The BBC's Caroline Wyatt Veterans fight a mental battle | The MoD says the Black Watch fought off several attacks by insurgents, and secured three main crossing points The BBC's Caroline Wyatt Veterans fight a mental battle |
| Apache and Black Hawk helicopter gunships, as well as a Spectre gunship, Harrier jets and unmanned drones, supported the operation. | Apache and Black Hawk helicopter gunships, as well as a Spectre gunship, Harrier jets and unmanned drones, supported the operation. |
| The aim was to establish a permanent presence in the area ahead of the Afghan presidential elections in August. | The aim was to establish a permanent presence in the area ahead of the Afghan presidential elections in August. |
| "The MoD says the Black Watch fought off several attacks by insurgents, and secured three main crossing points," said our correspondent. | "The MoD says the Black Watch fought off several attacks by insurgents, and secured three main crossing points," said our correspondent. |
| They also found and disabled several of one of the Taliban's main weapons - improvised explosive devices - which have proved deadly to coalition forces over recent months. | They also found and disabled several of one of the Taliban's main weapons - improvised explosive devices - which have proved deadly to coalition forces over recent months. |
| The operation comes after the 169th British serviceman was killed in Afghanistan since 2001 on Friday. | The operation comes after the 169th British serviceman was killed in Afghanistan since 2001 on Friday. |
| The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), based at Fort George barracks near Inverness, started its first deployment to Afghanistan in April. | The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), based at Fort George barracks near Inverness, started its first deployment to Afghanistan in April. |
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