British soldiers have built two new patrol bases under the cover of darkness pushing back insurgents and protecting ordinary Afghans going about their daily lives.

In their first major operation since they deployed in October the 3 RIFLES took control of two vital river crossings over Helmand River and within 36 hours had constructed fortifications and won the support of local people.

The first base is at a key crossing point used by insurgents to infiltrate British controlled areas from their camps in the southeast. The second will protect the main northern route into the bustling Sangin bazaar.

3 RIFLES moved in after the recent maize harvest in the fertile lands bordering Helmand River reduced cover for the insurgents.

Sangin bazaar has been flourishing as the security situation changes; in 2007 it was largely deserted but now there are between 200 and 400 stall open every day.

Captain Ben Coward of 3 RIFLES Battle Group was part of the operation at the bazaar. The 27-year-old from Bath said: “Pushing the insurgents and any fighting away from the urban center and therefore away from the civilian population is sound counter-insurgency practice. Protecting the people, bringing them the security they crave, is all part of winning their will and their support. We need to show them that we are here to help.”

With Viking armored vehicles from Egypt Squadron 2 Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) and the Manoeuvre Operations Group (MOG) providing extra muscle, the area was isolated before insurgents even began to stir.

As A Company were working on establishing the new river crossing base B Company were to the north east securing the route into the bazaar.

The troops there took over a deserted and bomb damaged building next door to one of the insurgents favorite points from which to fire on the road into the bazaar.

Captain Nick Bridges of Egypt Squadron 2RTR said: “Only one Viking attracted insurgent attention throughout the operation. We came under a short period of fire from insurgents frustrated that they were powerless to do anything to disrupt the progress that was all too obvious for them to see.”

Officer Commanding 5 Platoon, Lieutenant Tom Vila said: “Some locals were initially a bit skeptical about the benefits of the new patrol base but once they saw the work begin they warmed to the presence of the troops and seemed genuinely pleased to have us as their new neighbors.”

The 24-year-old from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, continued: “We offered plenty of reassurance; this allowed the conversation to progress onto other areas including health care and the building of wells in the local area. It is links like these that allow development efforts to take a step forward, but fostering this we aim to gain the support of the local people.”

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson said: ”Instilling confidence in the population and galvanizing them to reject the insurgency, is a key part of our work here. To this end, we have almost doubled the number of ‘interfaces’ we have with the Afghans. It is a significant step towards better engagement with the population in order to secure their consent for GIRoA (Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) and the security forces that support it. It also markedly improves our ability to understand the population and its needs.”

Rifleman James Brown and Lance Corporal David Kirkness were part of the operation to build the patrol bases which took place in the weeks before they were tragically killed in action on Tuesday following a Suicide Improvised Explosive Device explosion on a route into central Sangin.

The explosion which killed Rifleman Brown and Lance Corporal Kirkness happened on a different route into the bazaar than that covered by the newly built patrol base but underlines the importance of improving security in the district.

Source: Ministry of Defence

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