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UK troops help smash Taleban base UK troops help smash Taleban base
(about 3 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
There were no British of Afghan government casualties, but it was not possible to say how many Taliban fighters were killed or injured, the MoD said.There were no British of 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.
They performed extremely well Major Nick Sargent
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
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.