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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UK Afghan mission 'going to plan' | UK Afghan mission 'going to plan' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The first stage of a major Nato offensive in Afghanistan involving some 1,000 British troops has gone to plan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | The first stage of a major Nato offensive in Afghanistan involving some 1,000 British troops has gone to plan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| British soldiers are among the 15,000 Nato troops searching for the Taliban in Marjah and Nad Ali in Helmand. | British soldiers are among the 15,000 Nato troops searching for the Taliban in Marjah and Nad Ali in Helmand. |
| Maj Gen Gordon Messenger said British troops, working with Afghan forces, had come under small-arms fire but "nothing had stopped the mission progressing". | Maj Gen Gordon Messenger said British troops, working with Afghan forces, had come under small-arms fire but "nothing had stopped the mission progressing". |
| Meanwhile a British soldier killed in an explosion in Nad Ali has been named. | Meanwhile a British soldier killed in an explosion in Nad Ali has been named. |
| L/SgT David Greenhalgh, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion while on vehicle patrol near Lashkar Gahon Saturday. | L/SgT David Greenhalgh, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion while on vehicle patrol near Lashkar Gahon Saturday. |
| The 25-year old soldier, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, died as he was securing a safe passage for others to pass through. | The 25-year old soldier, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, died as he was securing a safe passage for others to pass through. |
| His Commanding Officer, Lt Col Roly Walker, said L/Sgt Greenhalgh was "watching over others so they could move safe from harm" and had paid the "ultimate sacrifice" for a "noble purpose". | His Commanding Officer, Lt Col Roly Walker, said L/Sgt Greenhalgh was "watching over others so they could move safe from harm" and had paid the "ultimate sacrifice" for a "noble purpose". |
| He was a tough soldier and a natural commander, a decent and honest man, and a friend to those he knew Lt Col Roly Walker Dead British soldier named | |
| The dead soldier was one of three International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) troops who died in southern Afghanistan during the first stages of Operation Moshtarak. | The dead soldier was one of three International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) troops who died in southern Afghanistan during the first stages of Operation Moshtarak. |
| Another British soldier was also been killed in an explosion while on foot patrol to the north-east of Sangin, the MoD said. | Another British soldier was also been killed in an explosion while on foot patrol to the north-east of Sangin, the MoD said. |
| The soldier, from 6 Riffles, was serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group. His death was unconnected with Operation Moshtarak. Next of kin have been informed. | The soldier, from 6 Riffles, was serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group. His death was unconnected with Operation Moshtarak. Next of kin have been informed. |
| 'Security challenge' | 'Security challenge' |
| Nato said 12 civilians had also been killed after two rockets missed their intended target in Marjah. | Nato said 12 civilians had also been killed after two rockets missed their intended target in Marjah. |
| Nato's commander Gen Stanley McChrystal said he "deeply regretted this tragic loss of life". President Hamid Karzai has called for an investigation into the civilian deaths, his office said. | Nato's commander Gen Stanley McChrystal said he "deeply regretted this tragic loss of life". President Hamid Karzai has called for an investigation into the civilian deaths, his office said. |
| More than 1,200 British troops are currently on the ground in Afghanistan | More than 1,200 British troops are currently on the ground in Afghanistan |
| BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said the MoD had stated there had not been any civilian deaths in the British-controlled area. | BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said the MoD had stated there had not been any civilian deaths in the British-controlled area. |
| "They are also saying there have been less "tics" - which stands for troops in contact, essentially fire fights - than in an average day in Helmand," he said. | "They are also saying there have been less "tics" - which stands for troops in contact, essentially fire fights - than in an average day in Helmand," he said. |
| At a Ministry of Defence briefing in London, Maj Gen Messenger - chief of the defence staff's strategic communications - said no artillery had been fired and no bombs dropped in the area where British efforts were focused. | At a Ministry of Defence briefing in London, Maj Gen Messenger - chief of the defence staff's strategic communications - said no artillery had been fired and no bombs dropped in the area where British efforts were focused. |
| An Apache helicopter had fired a Hellfire missile at insurgents after members of a patrol were attacked from a distance, he said. | An Apache helicopter had fired a Hellfire missile at insurgents after members of a patrol were attacked from a distance, he said. |
| He said soldiers from the Royal Welsh Regiment, working with Afghan forces, had uncovered 13 improvised explosive devices and military tunnels. | He said soldiers from the Royal Welsh Regiment, working with Afghan forces, had uncovered 13 improvised explosive devices and military tunnels. |
| But Maj Gen Messenger said what had happened in the last 48 hours was the "easy bit". | But Maj Gen Messenger said what had happened in the last 48 hours was the "easy bit". |
| "The challenge is to provide security that allows the Afghans to provide for their people. | "The challenge is to provide security that allows the Afghans to provide for their people. |
| "The success of this operation will be judged on that," he said. | "The success of this operation will be judged on that," he said. |
| The Taliban, although "divided and fractured", remained an "adaptable foe," he added. | The Taliban, although "divided and fractured", remained an "adaptable foe," he added. |
| He said work had already begun to build bridges over canals and create temporary bases in the area. Cash for work programmes were encouraging local people to take part. | He said work had already begun to build bridges over canals and create temporary bases in the area. Cash for work programmes were encouraging local people to take part. |
| 'Roadside bombs' | 'Roadside bombs' |
| 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 |
| Earlier, UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said the biggest threat facing troops taking part in the operation was roadside bombs. | Earlier, UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said the biggest threat facing troops taking part in the operation was roadside bombs. |
| He told Sky News: "We have lost more people to roadside bombs than anything else in the last few years." | He told Sky News: "We have lost more people to roadside bombs than anything else in the last few years." |
| Mr Ainsworth also told the BBC the international community would have to provide financial assistance to Afghanistan for "some considerable time" afterwards, and the big test would be whether Nato forces could "win over hearts and minds". | Mr Ainsworth also told the BBC the international community would have to provide financial assistance to Afghanistan for "some considerable time" afterwards, and the big test would be whether Nato forces could "win over hearts and minds". |
| 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. | 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. |
| The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner, in Kandahar, said troops were "braced for further casualties" from "thousands" of booby traps in the area. | The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner, in Kandahar, said troops were "braced for further casualties" from "thousands" of booby traps in the area. |
| "Compound by compound, building by building, they are having to search - often doorways to shops, bazaars, are rigged with these IEDs," he said. | "Compound by compound, building by building, they are having to search - often doorways to shops, bazaars, are rigged with these IEDs," he said. |
| 'Key objectives' | 'Key objectives' |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the aim of the mission was to break, divide and split the Taliban. He said he was "proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played" in the operation. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the aim of the mission was to break, divide and split the Taliban. He said he was "proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played" in the operation. |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband said this was a "decisive year" for the Afghanistan campaign but it was "too premature" to talk about the withdrawal of British troops. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband said this was a "decisive year" for the Afghanistan campaign but it was "too premature" to talk about the withdrawal of British troops. |
| More than 1,200 British troops are currently involved on the ground. It is the biggest Afghan mission since the 2001 invasion. | More than 1,200 British troops are currently involved on the ground. It is the biggest Afghan mission since the 2001 invasion. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |