LONDON, July 3 (UPI) -- Britain plans to bolster its combat troop strength in Afghanistan by replacing 800 deployed engineers with infantry.
The envisaged change comes in the wake of clashes between British forces and a resurgent Taliban near Helmand province. Two British paratroopers were killed and four injured in fighting over the weekend; an Afghan interpreter with the paratroopers also died.
The rethink also coincides with a general review of tactics by NATO and British authorities.
The Guardian on Monday quoted an unidentified defense source as saying the swap would not affect the overall British troop strength in Afghanistan, which was to remain at the previously announced 3,300 mark.
The 800 engineers to be replaced have recently finished building a British military base in the south.
British commanders, amid growing Taliban strength and prowess, have also requested more aircraft and vehicles.
Fighting in the Sangin Valley northeast of Helmand province occurred as U.S. and coalition forces conducted Operation Mountain Thrust, the biggest move against Taliban fighters since the 2001 invasion.
Renewed Taliban activity in southern Afghanistan is seen as a serious threat to the government of President Hamid Karzai.
