Afghan Advances
Compound clearance: Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment and elements of 1st Battalion, Grendaier Guards drop in on a suspected Taliban position
Step up in the action: Bayonet fixed, Cpl Christina Kisby of 3 Yorks attached to 1 R Anglian, moves through a compound during a search for Taliban fighters in Sangin
Cold calling: Pte Barney Scrivener, 1 R Anglian joins the search
Future plans: Dialogue with village elders will help determine the most pressing reconstruction projects
Desert dash: A Task Force Helmand convoy throws up dust as it snakes its way through the Sangin Valley
Report: Cliff Caswell
Pictures: Cpl Adrian Harlem RLC
BATTLE-hardened British troops have been facing daily clashes with "a cunning and determined enemy" as they continue to wrestle southern Afghanistan from the Taliban.
According to commanders, soldiers from 12 Mechanized Brigade have been involved in frequent contacts but are confident that the fight for Helmand province is being won.
Along with allies from Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) and counterparts from the Afghan National Army, troops have been involved in a series of actions to oust the Taliban from key areas and pave the way for reconstruction to begin.
"Our soldiers have been under contact every day," an Army spokesman told Soldier. "The attacks have been across the board - everything from a couple of rockets fired at a compound to sporadic firing and drive-by shootings. It has been consistent but morale among the troops out here has been very high."
In the latest of a high-profile series of ops, British commanders hinted that there would be further actions in key areas of Helmand as this issue went to press.
It was anticipated that there could be initiatives focusing on consolidating the gains already made, as well as bolstering the infrastructure to take the battle to the enemy.
The current operations are part of a wider series of actions that have proved highly successful. Soldiers recently swept through the Sangin Valley, smashing Taliban positions and sending a clear message that the rule of law would prevail.
Among those involved in hunting down the Taliban diehards were soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.
During Op Lastay Kulang ("pickaxe handle" in Pashtu), the men of B (Suffolk) Company advanced from the town of Sangin to Kajaki, clearing the area of rogue forces as they went.
Sgt Michael Woodrow said: "The first day of the operation was the most aggressive and intense. RPGs were flying around and we had two mine strikes within 24 hours. It was a long op but the lads coped very well."
The battalion's A (Norfolk) Company conducted a similar search for the enemy further north.
"Our job was to clear Taliban who we knew were waiting for us somewhere in the area," Pte Terry North explained. "It was a bit of a blower and physically demanding.
"We patrolled throughout the day but as soon as we were on the ground RPGs and small arms fire hit us."
Pte Tom Duggy added: "It was pretty exciting because every time we searched a compound, we did not know what to expect. In the end, Taliban elements were destroyed or fled away from the area."
Brig John Lorimer, the British Commander of Task Force Helmand and 12 Mechanized Brigade, said his soldiers and officers were satisfied at the steady progress.
He added: "To date the operation has been very successful - we have managed to clear the areas we wished to clear and have now engaged with local nationals and tribal elders.
We're helping to bring reconstruction and development.Afghanistan is a complicated environment - it's hot, the conditions are pretty difficult and, after the winter break, the Taliban have increased in numbers."
Brig Lorimer admitted the enemy was "cunning and determined" but was confident that the terrorists were being beaten and the confidence of local people being won.
"When we close with the Taliban we beat them - but the critical part is what happens after that," the commander said. "We're now into the phase of talking to the locals, speaking to the tribal leaders, finding out what their needs are and showing them the importance of supporting the government of Afghanistan."
Brig Lorimer acknowledged that bringing the democratic ideal to some areas of Helmand would be a challenge but said that troops were committed to the task.
"It's a tough job out here, but we always knew that it would be tough," he said. "We have got an important job to do, a mission we believe in. Nato and Task Force Helmand are taking the fight to the enemy."
As previously reported, securing the Sangin Valley and weeding out Taliban resistance has been a key aim for both Isaf and Afghan National Army troops.
Last month Soldier revealed how a number of new bases were under construction in the town of Gareshk to consolidate the successes of Op Silicon earlier in the year
