Troops from the Queen’s Royal Lancers (QRL), based at Catterick
Garrison, in North Yorkshire, discovered a significant cache of
explosives and bomb-making equipment in a dawn raid on an enemy
compound.
Soldiers from the QRL-led Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) were
inserted by helicopter into the Taliban base in the Nad ‘Ali region of
Helmand after receiving intelligence.
Searching alongside Afghan troops, they discovered more than 200kgs of
home-made explosives, as well as a large quantity of remote controls
and pressure plates used for triggering deadly improvised explosive
devices (IEDs).
The teams also found a motorbike packed with explosives intended to be used as a suicide bomb.
The operation, which saw the QRL work shoulder-to-shoulder with
colleagues from the Afghan National Army, marks a successful end to
their six-month tour on Operation Herrick 17.
The operation was conducted jointly as part of a handover with the
incoming 1 Mechanized Brigade Reconnaissance Force, made up of soldiers
from the Household Cavalry Regiment and 4 Battalion the Rifles, as well
as specialists from other units.
Major Adam Foden, commanding officer of the outgoing 4 Mechanized
Brigade Reconnaissance Force, said: “We have remained at high readiness
for seven months and have deployed 40 times, seizing 1,700kgs of
insurgent explosives in all.
“This operation enabled my officers and soldiers to hand over
responsibility for our task and to make sure the new team are as ready
as they can be for their role.
“It went completely to plan; we were at the target for three hours and
have had an impact on IED construction in the Nad ‘Ali area.”
When asked about returning to the UK at the end of April, Maj Foden
added: “It has been a rewarding tour, but the guys are keen to get home
and be with their families.”
The Army said the soldiers from QRL would arrive back at Catterick Garrison within the next few weeks.
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