The loss of any British or Afghan service person is very sad and our thoughts remain with the families of those who have died in Sangin and elsewhere in Afghanistan. Sangin is the most challenging area in which British troops operate and is where we have taken many of our casualties. Significant progress has been made in Sangin over the last three years.
The District Centre and bazaar area remain largely secure and this has given the vast majority of law-abiding Afghan citizens a haven and a focus for their legitimate activity. Such advances would not be possible were it not for the sacrifices and continued endeavours of the coalition and Afghan forces on the ground and, despite the challenges, the Combined Force remains ever more determined to succeed.
Sangin is an area that matters deeply both to the Taliban and the Afghan government, which is why it is so keenly contested. The area is currently experiencing a relatively high level of activity. Spikes in incidents have been experienced previously and there is no evidence that this is due fighters moving from the area of Op MOSHTARAK. We cannot discount, however, that the upsurge in activity is a deliberate ploy by the Taliban leadership to deflect attention from the successes in Central Helmand.
The situation is being closely monitored by ISAF, and a number of security and political measures have been taken to counter the increased level of insurgent activity.
Maj Gen Gordon Messenger, UK Military Spokesman
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