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UK forces launch Taliban assault UK forces launch Taliban assault
(about 3 hours later)
More than 700 UK troops have launched a major offensive against insurgent strongholds in southern Afghanistan.More than 700 UK troops have launched a major offensive against insurgent strongholds in southern Afghanistan.
The soldiers from the Light Dragoons and 2 Mercian are taking part in the third wave of Operation Panther's Claw, which began two weeks ago in Helmand.The soldiers from the Light Dragoons and 2 Mercian are taking part in the third wave of Operation Panther's Claw, which began two weeks ago in Helmand.
The assault came as US and Afghan forces began a separate assault on the Taliban in the province's south.The assault came as US and Afghan forces began a separate assault on the Taliban in the province's south.
The co-ordinated missions aim to clear insurgents and make the area safe ahead of presidential elections in August.The co-ordinated missions aim to clear insurgents and make the area safe ahead of presidential elections in August.
The UK's Operation Panther's Claw began a fortnight ago with an air assault on the region of Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah.The UK's Operation Panther's Claw began a fortnight ago with an air assault on the region of Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah.
More than 350 troops from the Black Watch were dropped into the area backed by 12 Chinook helicopters in what the Ministry of Defence described as one of the largest air operations in modern times.More than 350 troops from the Black Watch were dropped into the area backed by 12 Chinook helicopters in what the Ministry of Defence described as one of the largest air operations in modern times.
Two British soldiers taking part in the operation - Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment - were killed in an explosion in Helmand on Wednesday.Two British soldiers taking part in the operation - Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment - were killed in an explosion in Helmand on Wednesday.
Lt Col Thorneloe is the most senior British army officer to be killed on operations since the Falklands War.Lt Col Thorneloe is the most senior British army officer to be killed on operations since the Falklands War.
'Lack of resources''Lack of resources'
The BBC's Ian Pannell, who is travelling with UK troops in Helmand, says the latest phase of the offensive involves a major land assault, with soldiers backed up by artillery and air support.The BBC's Ian Pannell, who is travelling with UK troops in Helmand, says the latest phase of the offensive involves a major land assault, with soldiers backed up by artillery and air support.
Thousands of British forces have been fighting the Taliban in Helmand since 2006, with 171 so far losing their lives and hundreds more injured.Thousands of British forces have been fighting the Taliban in Helmand since 2006, with 171 so far losing their lives and hundreds more injured.
But our correspondent said that while the British had taken some key towns, their effectiveness had been limited by a lack of resources. A US assault, involving 4,000 marines has also launched
But our correspondent said while the British had taken some key towns, their effectiveness had been limited by a lack of resources.
However, the arrival of thousands of US marines had now freed up the Light Dragoons battle group to launch its latest offensive, he added.However, the arrival of thousands of US marines had now freed up the Light Dragoons battle group to launch its latest offensive, he added.
The assault has been co-ordinated with the ongoing US operation to the south - named Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword.The assault has been co-ordinated with the ongoing US operation to the south - named Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword.
The US military says about 4,000 marines as well as 650 Afghan troops - supported by Nato planes - have been involved in the surge, launched in the early hours of Thursday.The US military says about 4,000 marines as well as 650 Afghan troops - supported by Nato planes - have been involved in the surge, launched in the early hours of Thursday.
It is the first such large-scale operation since US President Barack Obama authorised the deployment of 21,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan, as part of a new strategy for winning the conflict.It is the first such large-scale operation since US President Barack Obama authorised the deployment of 21,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan, as part of a new strategy for winning the conflict.
Many of those troops are being redeployed from operations in Iraq.Many of those troops are being redeployed from operations in Iraq.