British troops 'smash stronghold'

Soldiers from the Black Watch - seen on an earlier operation - took part

British troops have smashed one of the largest insurgent strongholds in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

Hundreds of soldiers from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, swooped on the enemy base in Kandahar Province on 14 September.

Explosives factories were found and a tunnel network destroyed, they said.

After intense firefights the troops also discovered ammunition and motorbikes rigged as suicide bombs.

One young soldier from Alpha Company was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) during the operation.

Afghan troops and Canadian IED experts helped with the operation in the Zhari District on 14 September, added the MoD.

Unmanned drones

Black Watch Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright said the insurgents' IED-making capacity had been "badly damaged" by the assault.

The action, included a ground assault and air surveillance had " delivered a physical and psychological blow to the insurgents' credibility in what they consider to be their safe haven", he added.

Six Chinook helicopters were used to enter the village of Howz-e-Madad in the early hours.

Heavy fighting followed with attack helicopters and unmanned drones co-ordinated by a team from 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery, firing from above.

The ground troops found a network of bunkers with interconnecting trenches and tunnels.

The buildings had carefully constructed sniper positions with weapons stored nearby, said the MoD.

Major Matt Munro, Commanding Officer of Alpha (Grenadier) Company, described the plan as "audacious".

"Our actions will have a substantive impact on the insurgency in this part of Southern Afghanistan."

'Sacrifice'

Major Munro said he had been "working tirelessly" for 48 hours to protect Alpha Company's route, and was about to join Bravo Company to continue with the fight when the incident happened.

"His comrades' immediate actions to treat his wounds were exemplary and second to none.

"Our thoughts and prayers are now with him and his family as he continues to undergo surgery back in the UK.

"His sacrifice will not be forgotten," he added.

The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 218.

On 27 September after Private James Prosser, 21, from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh died in an explosion in northern Helmand province.