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| Bombs threat for UK Afghan troops | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said the biggest threat facing troops taking part in Operation Moshtarak in Afghanistan are roadside bombs. | |
| British soldiers are among the 15,000 Nato troops searching for the Taliban in Marjah and Nad-e-Ali in Helmand. | |
| Mr Ainsworth said troops were trying to clear "safe routes" where improvised explosive devices had been planted. | |
| One British soldier was killed in an explosion while on vehicle patrol in Nad-e-Ali on Saturday. | |
| The solider, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion in Nad-e-Ali District in Helmand province on Saturday. His next of kin have been informed. | The solider, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion in Nad-e-Ali District in Helmand province on Saturday. His next of kin have been informed. |
| He was one of two International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) service members who died in southern Afghanistan during the first stages of the mission. | |
| On the second day of the offensive, Mr Ainsworth told Sky News: "We have lost more people to roadside bombs than anything else in the last few years." | |
| More than 1,200 British troops are currently on the ground in Afghanistan | |
| He said it was important that the offensive was a success but it would be months before this could be fully appraised. | |
| He also told the BBC that the international community would have to provide financial assistance to Afghanistan for "some considerable time" afterwards. | |
| He said: "The big test is whether or not we can hold the ground, provide security for the people who live there and win over their hearts and minds." | |
| He added that doing this would also involve winning over some members of the Taliban who had melted back into the population and who previously would have been "shooting at our troops". | |
| At the same time, they are working to convince locals that they are here to stay The BBC's Ian Pannell Operation Moshtarak: Diary Brown: Aim is to break Taliban | |
| Commanders in Afghanistan have said that key objectives were met on the first day. | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the aim is to break, divide and split the Taliban. | |
| The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner, in Kandahar, said the British troops - along with their Afghan Army counterparts embedded with them - are "going solid and firm" on the ground that they have taken. | |
| He said they would be holding a meeting with the local population later on Sunday. | |
| He said troops that have gone in are going to be setting up patrol bases in the near future - these will be jointly manned by Afghan and Nato soldiers. | |
| 'Less resistance' | 'Less resistance' |
| Some 4,000 British troops could be involved in the Nato-led Moshtarak offensive against the Taliban. It is the biggest Afghan mission since the 2001 invasion. | Some 4,000 British troops could be involved in the Nato-led Moshtarak offensive against the Taliban. It is the biggest Afghan mission since the 2001 invasion. |
| The BBC's Ian Pannell, who is embedded with British forces, said there has been far less resistance than expected but insurgents continued to remain in the area. | |
| But, at the same time, the soldiers were working to convince locals that they planned to stay in the region. | But, at the same time, the soldiers were working to convince locals that they planned to stay in the region. |
| They have held meetings with key tribal elders, and some development work, including the building of a bridge, has already begun. | They have held meetings with key tribal elders, and some development work, including the building of a bridge, has already begun. |
| Our correspondent said although there had been much talk about "integration" and a mood of cautious optimism, everyone understood this was a long-term project. | Our correspondent said although there had been much talk about "integration" and a mood of cautious optimism, everyone understood this was a long-term project. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY We have little choice. We pull out, Pakistan falls. This is the era of the new domino theory.David Cheshire, Dorset, UK Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY We have little choice. We pull out, Pakistan falls. This is the era of the new domino theory.David Cheshire, Dorset, UK Send us your comments |
| Operation Moshtarak - which means "together" in the local Dari language - is being led by 4,000 US Marines, supported by the Afghan National Army and British, Canadian, Danish and Estonians troops. | Operation Moshtarak - which means "together" in the local Dari language - is being led by 4,000 US Marines, supported by the Afghan National Army and British, Canadian, Danish and Estonians troops. |
| Mr Brown paid tribute to the dead soldier whom he said was "making the ultimate sacrifice for our country". | Mr Brown paid tribute to the dead soldier whom he said was "making the ultimate sacrifice for our country". |
| He also said he was "proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played" in the operation and what had already been achieved was "significant" but "we have got to build on that in the next few weeks, so that the Afghan population in this area feel a great deal safer". | He also said he was "proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played" in the operation and what had already been achieved was "significant" but "we have got to build on that in the next few weeks, so that the Afghan population in this area feel a great deal safer". |
| More than 1,200 British troops are currently involved on the ground. | More than 1,200 British troops are currently involved on the ground. |
| 'Key objectives' | 'Key objectives' |
| A further 3,000 British troops are also available if needed. A Ministry Defence spokesman said these troops were "providing wider support" such as logistics and moving equipment. | A further 3,000 British troops are also available if needed. A Ministry Defence spokesman said these troops were "providing wider support" such as logistics and moving equipment. |
| British forces have focused on gaining control of targets in the Nad-e-Ali district. | British forces have focused on gaining control of targets in the Nad-e-Ali district. |
| Maj Gen Messenger, the chief of the defence staff's strategic communications officer, said the "key objectives" of the operation had been secured in the early hours of Saturday. | Maj Gen Messenger, the chief of the defence staff's strategic communications officer, said the "key objectives" of the operation had been secured in the early hours of Saturday. |
| He explained that "low numbers" of insurgents had been killed during the attacks, but added that efforts by British troops in the Chah-e-Anjir Triangle had been successful. | He explained that "low numbers" of insurgents had been killed during the attacks, but added that efforts by British troops in the Chah-e-Anjir Triangle had been successful. |
| The soldiers are trying to convince Afghans they are in for the long-haul | The soldiers are trying to convince Afghans they are in for the long-haul |
| Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards Battle Group, Coldstream Guards and the Royal Welsh are taking part, along with the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team. | Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards Battle Group, Coldstream Guards and the Royal Welsh are taking part, along with the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team. |
| The Afghan army said 70% of Marjah had been cleared and 20 militants killed, according to its regional commander. | The Afghan army said 70% of Marjah had been cleared and 20 militants killed, according to its regional commander. |
| Earlier this week British forces began a "softening up" process, taking part in a Nato ground and air offensive on insurgent positions. | Earlier this week British forces began a "softening up" process, taking part in a Nato ground and air offensive on insurgent positions. |
| On Thursday a British soldier involved in Operation Moshtarak was killed by an IED, and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has warned that there will be more casualties in the coming days. | On Thursday a British soldier involved in Operation Moshtarak was killed by an IED, and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has warned that there will be more casualties in the coming days. |
| OPERATION MOSHTARAK: DAY ONE - 13 FEBRUARY 2010 1: Consolidation of security2: UK/Danish troops disrupt Taliban movements3: Forces secure Canal 56 crossings4: Helicopter insertions5: Helicopter and ground insertions into Marjah | OPERATION MOSHTARAK: DAY ONE - 13 FEBRUARY 2010 1: Consolidation of security2: UK/Danish troops disrupt Taliban movements3: Forces secure Canal 56 crossings4: Helicopter insertions5: Helicopter and ground insertions into Marjah |
| Source: UK Ministry of Defence | Source: UK Ministry of Defence |