A Military Operations news article
Afghans take part in local shura, supported by British soldiers of 2 RIFLES
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The aim of the shura was to allow Gulab Mangal, the Governor of Helmand province, to present the gift of wheat seed to over 2,000 farmers, as part of the Helmand Food Zone Programme.
Sangin is the key town in the fight against anti-government insurgents in the Upper Sangin Valley, which has seen vicious battles fought by mostly British ISAF troops, to dislodge the Taliban from the area.
2 RIFLES have been the lead element of Battle Group North in the Upper Sangin Valley for the last six months.
While in Sangin, Governor Mangal paid visits to the new school, District Governor's house and offices and an important new comprehensive health clinic to serve the people of Sangin. Mark Sedwill, the British Ambassador to Afghanistan, joined Governor Mangal's party.
All of the 2 RIFLES Battle Group's companies were involved in the operation to assist in the shura's security, including the companies located in Forward Operating Bases Wishtan, Inkerman and Nolay, who conducted operations to block and disrupt any insurgent efforts at wrecking the meeting.
Lieutenant Will Dixon said:
"My platoon was tasked with providing security to the north of Sangin for the minister's visit. It was vital that the visit would pass off safely to demonstrate to the Afghans that Sangin is secure enough for the Government to deliver the wheat seed safely."
Long after the shura was over, the Taliban fired some indiscriminate mortar fire at Sangin.
Haul of drugs seized by British and Afghan troops during a recent military operation
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The new Fire Support Group from B Company, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was successful in damaging the insurgent networks' capability by removing a key weapon capability, assessed to be an 82mm mortar.
Colour Serjeant Gav Paton said:
"The snipers were covering the insurgent mortar firing points to the west of the town when reports of insurgent activity came over the radio net."
An unmanned drone was tasked to investigate. The drone spotted an enemy mortar team that was preparing to fire onto the town centre, risking large numbers of local nations in the area. The drone fired a missile at the enemy which successfully destroyed the weapon.
At this point the insurgent team manning the mortar fled to nearby cover. The snipers, at a range of over 1.5km, successfully identified and engaged the mortar team.
Lance Corporal Andrew Ball, a sniper, said:
"The insurgents were making good use of the vegetation as cover on the far side of the river. Using the sniper tactics of working in two-man teams, I was able to identify the enemy location with my partner. The new sniper rifle and sight were well suited for the engagement which was about 1.5 km between me and the enemy."
Rifleman Daniel Holkham said:
"It was a really important operation that will help maintain security in the area. We scared off the guys with the use of a missile attack and the snipers and we made sure the day went off without a hitch."
Lieutenant Will Dixon
Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, Commanding Officer Battle Group North, said:
"The shura was a real success. 400 people from Sangin came to hear the Provincial Governor and the Taliban could do nothing about it.
"The delivery of the wheat seed to Sangin is another sign of progress in this part of Helmand. The Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, supported by us, led the security operation and were poised to deter any insurgent attempts to disrupt the meeting."
Governor Mangal is touring Helmand to promote the second year of the Food Zone Programme which is aimed at showing local farmers that there is a viable alternative to growing poppy.
The UK is supporting the Governor's programme with £10m as part of its commitment to restoring the legitimate agricultural base in Helmand province.
All farmers receiving the subsidised wheat seed sign a commitment not to grow poppy. Between last year and this year about 70,000 farmers have benefited from the programme.
Following a 33 per cent cut in poppy cultivation last year, this year the target being set is even higher and already the scheme is being expanded to cover eight districts including Kanashin for the first time where US Marines have helped stabilise the area.
Governor Mangal sets alight a haul of drugs seized by British and Afghan troops during a recent military operation
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Following the visit to Sangin, Governor Mangal sent another clear message to encourage farmers to take up the Food Zone Programme and plant wheat instead of poppy, when he lit the spark to burn a huge dump laden with 14 tonnes of opium, heroin and precursor chemicals.
The cache was recovered during pro-active CNP-A operations in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand. The CNP-A are the specialist counter narcotics police in Afghanistan.
Detective Superintendent Dave Wright, EU Police Advisor, was at the event, working alongside the Afghan National Police. Speaking after the event, Detective Superintendent Wright said:
"The money that would have come from the sale of the opium would undoubtedly have funded insurgents' activities, extending their presence in the region and increasing their ability to launch deadly attacks on the local population and coalition forces.
"This show of force hits at the heart of the insurgency because it significantly reduces their capability to continue the fight. With fewer numbers and diminished resources, they are simply less effective."
© Crown Copyright/MOD 2009
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