BRITISH SOLDIERS REST IN HELMAND YESTERDAY
British troops could be killed as a direct result of the strategy to publicise the imminent major Allied offensive in Afghanistan, it was feared last night. The decision has given insurgents time to plant thousands of extra roadside bombs at key locations, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth admitted yesterday.
His comments came as a British soldier was killed in Helmand Valley trying to defuse a roadside bomb in preparation for Operation Moshtarak. The soldier, from 36 Engineer Regiment, died in an explosion in Nad-e-Ali district on Monday. He is the third British serviceman to die in a roadside bomb in the past four days.
MPs questioned the decision to give the Taliban advance notice of the operation, which had left troops forced to ‘clear routes’ for fleeing civilians as well as their own personnel. Military sources believe the Taliban have laid ‘thousands’ of extra IEDs or improvised explosive devices in recent weeks.
It pains me to say it with new casualties piling up, but you heard it here first on Monday. Ainsworth and by implication the Chief of Staff in the Army will play a big part in any British casualties we suffer and if this has not been an operational but a political decision then AINSWORTH'S HEAD MUST ROLL. If it's someone in the Army Command then their HEAD MUST ROLL.
If British lives are being lost needlessly, THE BRITISH PEOPLE WILL NOT STAND FOR IT.
WE SHOULD BE TOLD!
WE SHOULD BE TOLD!
