British forces tout success of their Afghan counterparts - UPI.com (original) (raw)
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Members of the Afghan military were able to seize weapons and ammunition after a gun battle in Helmand province, their British support staff said.
The British Ministry of Defense said Tuesday an Afghan military brigade was able to defend itself from a Taliban ambush in Helmand province last weekend. A regiment of British forces is supporting the Afghan military there.
British Lt. Col. Chris Davies said his Afghan counterparts struck a "massive blow to the Taliban" both morally and strategically. Around a dozen rifles and a large cache of roadside bombs were recovered after the battle, the Ministry of Defense said.
British forces contributing to the NATO-led effort in Afghanistan are wrapping up their war-time operations as national forces take the lead in securing the country.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague, in an October report on Afghan operations, said Afghan forces have shown themselves to be an '"effective fighting force" in major urban areas but are facing "increasing insurgent pressure" in rural parts of the country.
There will be 5,200 British troops in Afghanistan by year's end, about half the number at the start of 2013.