This update covers provincial reconstruction, security sector reform and related developments in Helmand, including the activities of UK, coalition and Afghan military, civilian and joint teams. It is intended for general briefing only. The material is collated by the UK Press Information Centre at Lashkar Gah and published by the UK MOD in London.
Helmand experienced some heavy rainfall last week. This deterioration in the weather has had an effect on the pattern and pace of life. In particular, it has become muddy underfoot in many places and some roads have become difficult to negotiate.
If the weather continues to worsen, it will probably have a detrimental impact on the number of locals travelling to engage with the Military Security and Stabilisation Team and the progress on reconstruction and development projects may slow.
FURTHER EXPANSION OF SECURITY AROUND MUSA QUALEH
The recent OP MAR BARCHA 3 was conducted by Battle Group (North West) to clear three villages on the southern flank of the BG (NW) area of operations that had been infiltrated by insurgents.
The insurgents’ intent was to intimidate local nationals, place IEDs and mount attacks against ANSF and ISAF. The BG intent was to provide security for the locals allowing them to lead normal lives.
The operation was a success and achieved without casualties to civilians or to ANSF/ISAF.
SANGIN BAZAAR REGENERATION
Having recently completed a regeneration scheme in the Northern area of the Sangin Bazaar, the Mayor of Sangin has wasted no time in pushing straight onto the next stage. This will see shops in the heart of town rebuilt and made into the centre piece of the District Centre.
Initial works are focused on the clearance of rubble from the area prior to more extensive works taking place. As part of this regeneration the roads surrounding the area are being resurfaced in a project led by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation Development.
The shops due for renovation in Sangin [Picture: Crown Copyright 2009]
IED FINDS IN WISHTAN
On 9 December British and Afghan soldiers spent time showing a recently found Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to locals living nearby to Patrol Base (PB) Wishtan, near Sangin, to encourage them to report details on further devices.
The find occurred after a local Afghan reported its whereabouts to Afghan National Army members at nearby PB Wishtan. B Coy 1 SCOTS (based in Wishtan and part of 3 RIFLES BG) called in the IEDD (Improvised Explosive Device Disposal) team who dealt with the 30kg device.
After the device had been made safe a local elder, who had been conducting a funeral with about 80 locals attending, was called over to view the device. The elders agreed to report the whereabouts of further devices to the ANA and ISAF. The device was later taken to a safe location to be disposed of.
3 RIFLES FIND IED IN LOCAL MOSQUE BUILDING NEAR SANGIN
A Company, 3 RIFLES sent out a patrol to isolate an area in order to allow troops from the new Patrol Base ALMAS to conduct a VCP (Vehicle Check-Point) along an important transit route in Sangin.
During the patrol the Riflemen decided to call in to an unoccupied mosque on the off-chance of meeting local Afghans whom they could speak to about progress in the area.
As the lead man in the patrol entered the mosque, using a detector he found a 105mm artillery shell filled with home-made explosives hidden under a pile of straw in the corner. It is likely that insurgents were using the mosque as an IED cache prior to 3 RIFLES arriving in the area and PB ALMAS being established.
Just outside the mosque the Riflemen found another IED, buried on a track used by Afghan civilians.
The 105 mm shell packed full of home made explosives found under a pile of straw in the corner of a disused mosque [Picture: Crown Copyright 2009]
ANA AND ISAF HELP RESTORE LOCAL MOSQUE IN AREA SOUTH OF SANGIN
Mosque are focal points of Aghan communities, where elders gather to discuss issues affecting their families, and where children learn about Islam, and to learn basic reading and writing. Most importantly, it is where Afghans go to pray.
When an ANA group mentored by soldiers from the OMLT (Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team) arrived in Sangin the Mosque outside Patrol Base Pylae was in poor condition after many years of conflict in the area. It had no basic amenities and was riddled with bullet damage. The children had to sit outside to conduct their studies and there was no well to gather water. Despite all these problems the people of the village still attended their Mosque.
After meetings with local Afghans Amber 24 it was agreed that the restoration of this building should be a priority.
Funding was agreed after various negotiations and with the help of military personnel and agencies. A contractor was found from the Sangin area who was prepared to undertake the work with ISAF and ANA security.
The contractor and his small team quickly got to work, and within two weeks the construction was largely completed. A new school building was also added to the rear of the Mosque and a shower room was built with an area for people to wash their feet before prayer time.
The bullet damage was repaired and all the buildings were then painted a brilliant white with a bright blue trim. Finally, the Mosque interior was decorated and treated to some new rugs. The finished article is a grand spectacle compared to what was there before.
With the Mosque now complete attendance has increased visibly, and at least 30 children spend most of their day there. There is a lot of activity with the afternoon prayer being particularly busy. The Mullah, the locals and the children have expressed their thanks to ANA and ISAF.
The mosque before the works – pock-marked with old bullet-holes [Picture: Crown Copyright 2009]
The mosque after the restoration works [Picture: Crown Copyright 2009]
GRENADIER GUARDS HELP RECOVER ANP INVOLVED IN ROAD ACCIDENT
Account by: Lt AWE Bayliss, The Inkerman Company The Grenadier Guards
“While on a resupply mission with the Battle Group Centre South logistics convoy in central Nad-E-Ali, navigating rocky dusty roads and hairpin bends with my small band of Grenadiers, we came across an Afghan National Police (ANP) car that had swerved into a ditch. The vehicle was on its side and looked to be in a terrible state, the Afghan Policemen stood round the ditched vehicle and wondering how they would extract it
“I halted the convoy and dispatched sentries to cover the vulnerable flanks from any insurgent attack before going forward on foot to see if my 20-ton Mastiff vehicle could help. The locals and police looked at me shouting “tajiman tajiman” (Afghan for interpreter) With my limited knowledge of Afghan I told the farmers I was Alex from England and I was here to help. But I’m not sure if that reassured them.
“The guys then got to work, grabbing tow-ropes from the Mastiff and attaching them to the car. It’s worth noting that when ISAF have pulled Afghan vehicles in the past they have had a habit of breaking in half! We then had all hands to the pump, Afghan and ISAF working in unison to recover the vehicle, any language barrier problems were solved with hand signals and smiles. The process took minutes with many curious local children coming to see what all the commotion was all about.
“Finally the ropes were attached and everyone stood back, the recovering Mastiff then slowly inched forward, the stranded car slowly lurched from its watery grave and bit by bit it came from the ditch. There was a brief moment of pandemonium as the Afghans all let off a cheer then rushed to gather round the soggy, waterlogged patrol car. My men then unhooked the car and returned the ropes to the rescuing Mastiff, only stopping to shake hands and receive kisses from the excited Afghan Police men!
“My logistical convoy then mounted back into their trucks and Mastiffs, happy that they had done their bit in partnering with the ANP for the day. As we departed the scene, to my surprise, the ANP jumped back into the Patrol car, complete with fish in the boot and sped off towards Lashkar Gah. Another busy day in Helmand province, but all in a days work for the Inkerman Company.”
The ANP Police Car in the ditch [Picture: Crown Copyright 2009]
EDUCATION
The Minister of Education has reported that the school in Ghartalay (in the BG(NW) area near Musa Qualeh) is running well and has 160 students regularly in attendance.
During the week an education Shura took place at a Patrol Base in Babaji District, which was led by the Provincial Director of Education. It was decided that although there had been concerns about security and insurgent intimidation to prevent children attending school, they do want a temporary school to start whilst building work continues on Wazir Fatir Han school in Spin Majid. The delivery and erection of tents for the temporary school commenced this week. 50 children are expected to attend. This will be the first (albeit temporary) government school to be established in Babaji since Op PANCHAI PALANG.
In Nad Ali District the schools in Chah-E-Anjir and Loy-Bagh reopened this week.
HEALTH
In Gereshk District the maternity ward in the hospital is now open 24 hrs a day.
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
The Project Proposals Board for Sangin District has agreed seven new projects. These will be located mainly in the south in the newly opened area post Op GHARTSE GHADMAHE (the operation to expand the area of Afghan/ISAF security south of Sangin District Centre): one flood channel, four sluice gates and two areas for canal clearance. Work has commenced this week for the flood channel and the Gumbatty Canal clearance.
Also in Sangin District, work has started to replace a second bridge on the route to Patrol Base Nabi with a steel and concrete bridge, which should greatly improve freedom of movement for locals in the area.
In Nad-Ali District, an agreement has been reached with the elders of Chah-E-Anjir for the construction of a Civic Centre to include a new ANP Patrol Base, basic health clinic, a girls school build to the mosque, generator power for Bazaar lights and potentially re-positioning the football pitch.
In Babaji District, on Friday 11 December, approximately 35 people attended a Shura at Patrol Base 2 to discuss Route Trident (the road being built through the Babaji area linking Gereshk to Lashkar Gah through Babaji). The Afghans have expressed support for the military road.
LOCAL MEDIA
A joint initiative between British Media Ops staff in Lashkar Gah, an Afghan National Army Commander and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) enabled local Afghan journalists from Lashkar Gah to get access to the Nowzad area of north-eastern Helmand province for several days this week to report first-hand from the area, where the USMC, supported by Danish tanks and British forces from Task Force Helmand, have been conducting Operation COBRA’S ANGER against insurgents.
The journalists were taken by British Media Ops staff to the area. The USMC then facilitated transport, and the ANA commander met the journalists and gave them access to a Shura with local elders. An independent media in Helmand is one of the key elements in a balanced and stable society in the province.
The shura in Nowzad called by an ANA commander so that Afghan journalists could report the views of local people
[Picture: Crown Copyright 2009]
