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| Nato aims to add to Afghan gains | Nato aims to add to Afghan gains |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of US, UK and Afghan troops are trying to consolidate gains on the second day of a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. | Thousands of US, UK and Afghan troops are trying to consolidate gains on the second day of a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. |
| They are advancing carefully, clearing thousands of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the Helmand districts of Marjah and Nad Ali. | |
| There have been sustained gun battles and many buildings have been booby-trapped by the insurgents. | |
| The operation is the first big test of President Obama's new Afghan strategy. | The operation is the first big test of President Obama's new Afghan strategy. |
| The International Red Cross has set up a first-aid post in Marjah, which it says has already treated several dozen residents injured in the fighting. | The International Red Cross has set up a first-aid post in Marjah, which it says has already treated several dozen residents injured in the fighting. |
| Obama briefing | Obama briefing |
| Nato officers and Afghan troops are holding shuras, or meetings, with tribal leaders, and plan to bring in hundreds of Afghan police officers in the coming days to help secure the captured areas. | Nato officers and Afghan troops are holding shuras, or meetings, with tribal leaders, and plan to bring in hundreds of Afghan police officers in the coming days to help secure the captured areas. |
| AT THE SCENE Ian Pannell,BBC News, Nad Ali | AT THE SCENE Ian Pannell,BBC News, Nad Ali |
| British and Afghan soldiers are searching compounds throughout the area, looking for insurgents and defusing improvised explosive devices, which have killed and maimed so many. | British and Afghan soldiers are searching compounds throughout the area, looking for insurgents and defusing improvised explosive devices, which have killed and maimed so many. |
| Despite far less resistance than they had expected, there are still insurgents in the area. At the same time, they are working to convince locals that they are here to stay. | Despite far less resistance than they had expected, there are still insurgents in the area. At the same time, they are working to convince locals that they are here to stay. |
| They have been holding meetings with key tribal elders, and some development work, including the building of a bridge, has already begun. | They have been holding meetings with key tribal elders, and some development work, including the building of a bridge, has already begun. |
| There has also been much talk of reintegration, and commanders want to persuade some insurgents to down their weapons. | There has also been much talk of reintegration, and commanders want to persuade some insurgents to down their weapons. |
| But no-one is under any illusions that this is a long-term project. Although there is cautious optimism, nobody is talking about victory yet. Operation Moshtarak: Diary | But no-one is under any illusions that this is a long-term project. Although there is cautious optimism, nobody is talking about victory yet. Operation Moshtarak: Diary |
| US-led Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in the Dari language - is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001. | US-led Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in the Dari language - is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001. |
| It began before dawn on Saturday when more than 15,000 troops flew into central Helmand. | It began before dawn on Saturday when more than 15,000 troops flew into central Helmand. |
| American forces, led by 4,000 US marines, are focusing on Marjah, while 4,000 British troops are in Nad Ali district. | |
| A large Afghan force, as well as Canadians, Danes and Estonians are also involved. | A large Afghan force, as well as Canadians, Danes and Estonians are also involved. |
| At least 20 Taliban fighters have been killed and another 11 detained, an Afghan commander said. | At least 20 Taliban fighters have been killed and another 11 detained, an Afghan commander said. |
| On Saturday, a British soldier, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died in a bomb blast in Nad Ali, while a US soldier was killed by gun fire in Marjah. | On Saturday, a British soldier, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died in a bomb blast in Nad Ali, while a US soldier was killed by gun fire in Marjah. |
| President Barack Obama is said to be keeping a close eye on the operation, and will be briefed by the top US commander in Afghanistan on Sunday. | President Barack Obama is said to be keeping a close eye on the operation, and will be briefed by the top US commander in Afghanistan on Sunday. |
| Nato's aim is to secure Marjah and its surrounding area, which has a population of about 125,000, as soon as possible and then to bring in aid and public services. | Nato's aim is to secure Marjah and its surrounding area, which has a population of about 125,000, as soon as possible and then to bring in aid and public services. |
| 'Riddled with mines' | 'Riddled with mines' |
| As well as having been a Taliban stronghold, Marjah has also long been regarded as a linchpin of the lucrative network for smuggling opium - the raw ingredient used to make heroin. | As well as having been a Taliban stronghold, Marjah has also long been regarded as a linchpin of the lucrative network for smuggling opium - the raw ingredient used to make heroin. |
| The BBC's Frank Gardner, at Nato's Kandahar headquarters, says RAF Tornado jets and drones have spent the last few days scanning the two districts for freshly laid IEDs. | The BBC's Frank Gardner, at Nato's Kandahar headquarters, says RAF Tornado jets and drones have spent the last few days scanning the two districts for freshly laid IEDs. |
| MARJAH: 'TALIBAN STRONGHOLD' Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar GahAn area of lush vegetation and farmlandLast remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern HelmandConsidered a centre for assembling roadside bombsLucrative supply centre for opium poppies, a Taliban revenue sourceEstimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000 Marjah town population estimated at 80,000; Marjah district: 125,000 In pictures: Moshtarak push Conflict reaches critical juncture Details on Operation Moshtarak Operation Moshtarak: Diary | MARJAH: 'TALIBAN STRONGHOLD' Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar GahAn area of lush vegetation and farmlandLast remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern HelmandConsidered a centre for assembling roadside bombsLucrative supply centre for opium poppies, a Taliban revenue sourceEstimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000 Marjah town population estimated at 80,000; Marjah district: 125,000 In pictures: Moshtarak push Conflict reaches critical juncture Details on Operation Moshtarak Operation Moshtarak: Diary |
| But the insurgents, too, have had months to prepare for this long-planned offensive and Nato says the area is riddled with thousands of mines. | |
| US Marine commander Brig Gen Larry Nicholson told AFP news his forces in Marjah had "blown up a lot of IEDs" and come up against "a lot of sniper fire". | US Marine commander Brig Gen Larry Nicholson told AFP news his forces in Marjah had "blown up a lot of IEDs" and come up against "a lot of sniper fire". |
| Using metal detectors and sniffer dogs, the Marines have been painstakingly clearing hidden bombs from houses, one by one. | Using metal detectors and sniffer dogs, the Marines have been painstakingly clearing hidden bombs from houses, one by one. |
| Brig Gen Nicholson estimated the Marjah area could take up to 30 days to make safe. | Brig Gen Nicholson estimated the Marjah area could take up to 30 days to make safe. |
| "Basically, if you hear the boom, it's good. It means you're still alive," US Marine L/Corp Justin Hennes told AP news agency. | "Basically, if you hear the boom, it's good. It means you're still alive," US Marine L/Corp Justin Hennes told AP news agency. |
| US forces also said they had discovered freshly abandoned sniper positions, booby-trapped with grenades. | US forces also said they had discovered freshly abandoned sniper positions, booby-trapped with grenades. |
| A pharmacist told the Marines that hidden bombs had been placed around the entrance to his shop, reports AP. | A pharmacist told the Marines that hidden bombs had been placed around the entrance to his shop, reports AP. |
| 'Publicity stunt' | 'Publicity stunt' |
| Correspondents say most of the Taliban appear to have scattered in the face of overwhelming force, possibly waiting to regroup before mounting attacks. | Correspondents say most of the Taliban appear to have scattered in the face of overwhelming force, possibly waiting to regroup before mounting attacks. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The "surge" approach drove most of the insurgents out of Iraq and there is no reason why it shouldn't work in AfghanistanAlan Trent, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY The "surge" approach drove most of the insurgents out of Iraq and there is no reason why it shouldn't work in AfghanistanAlan Trent, London Send us your comments |
| But on Sunday, a flag-raising ceremony by Nato-led forces in Marjah came under fire, reports Reuters news agency. | But on Sunday, a flag-raising ceremony by Nato-led forces in Marjah came under fire, reports Reuters news agency. |
| "I have always dreamed of raising the Afghanistan flag over Marjah," Afghan soldier Almast Khan told Reuters. | "I have always dreamed of raising the Afghanistan flag over Marjah," Afghan soldier Almast Khan told Reuters. |
| The BBC's Frank Gardner says the real challenge is still to come: building lasting security for the residents of central Helmand. | The BBC's Frank Gardner says the real challenge is still to come: building lasting security for the residents of central Helmand. |
| Operation Moshtarak's success or failure depends on whether it can be swiftly followed by security and good governance. | Operation Moshtarak's success or failure depends on whether it can be swiftly followed by security and good governance. |
| This is something that has been all too rare in the troubled south of the country, says our correspondent. | This is something that has been all too rare in the troubled south of the country, says our correspondent. |
| A Taliban commander, named as Mullah Abdul Rezaq Akhund, reportedly labelled the operation a public relations stunt. | A Taliban commander, named as Mullah Abdul Rezaq Akhund, reportedly labelled the operation a public relations stunt. |
| "Their main objective from all this propaganda is to give some prestige to the defeated military commander General Stanley McChrystal," he said in a statement e-mailed to AFP news agency. | "Their main objective from all this propaganda is to give some prestige to the defeated military commander General Stanley McChrystal," he said in a statement e-mailed to AFP news agency. |
| 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 |