British-led strike secures central Helmand

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- A multinational operation led by British troops has successfully secured a large area of the volatile Helmand province in Afghanistan.

British troops, alongside Danish and Estonian units making up Task Force Helmand, during two weeks of operations targeted Taliban strongholds in central Helmand, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

British officials say the ongoing military campaign, which also includes Afghan troops, has secured a large area around Helmand's capital of Lashkar Gah, ahead of Afghan voter registration which is scheduled to take place in early 2009.

"This was a very successful operation that demonstrated the ability of the Task Force to surprise, overmatch, maneuver and influence over a huge area," Brig. Gordon Messenger, Task Force Helmand commander, said in a statement.

"This is just the start, and these operations do not end here. It is for us to drive the tempo; we will continue to surprise and overmatch the Taliban at a time and place of our choosing, not theirs."

Despite successes in the operation to secure the central Helmand region, six British soldiers were killed during clashes, along with three local Afghan civilians.