Afghanistan offensive 'going well' despite casualties

British commanders said the ongoing offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan was going well, despite the deaths of three servicemen in as many days.

A soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, died yesterday after being caught in a blast near a check point in Nad-e-Ali, Helmand.

His next of kin was informed and he is expected to be named today.

US officials also revealed a new military operation will be launched later this year in a bid to wrestle control of Kandahar from the Taliban.

The top US general in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, previously said he intends to target the city, dubbed the Taliban’s “capital”, after the current offensive.

Tributes were paid yesterday to Rifleman Martin Kinggett from A Company 4 Rifles who was shot dead in Sangin on Thursday and to Senior Aircraftman Luke Southgate who died in an explosion north of Kandahar Airfield on Wednesday.

Rfn Kinggett, 19, was killed while providing covering fire so an injured colleague could be evacuated.

His family described the teenager, from Dagenham, in Essex, as “a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle and boyfriend”.

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones said he had found “his calling” in Afghanistan.

He said: “His strength of character and values proved a rock to those around him. His brother Riflemen drew strength and comfort from his confidence. He was fearless as the lead man in his section, clearing the ground for those that followed.”

SAC Southgate, from Bury St Edmunds, died just 14 days short of his 21st birthday.

His family paid tribute to the “best son, brother and boyfriend any of us could ever have wished for”.

Comrades described the airman, from 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment, who only deployed to Afghanistan in January, as a “rising star”.

The machine gun specialist was killed by an IED (improvised explosive device) during a vehicle patrol outside the airfield.

He had been looking forward to moving in with his girlfriend, Caley, and had ambitions to join the UK Special Forces.

A total of 266 British servicemen have died since the conflict began.

Speaking in London yesterday, Major General Gordon Messenger said: “The operation’s well on track.

“Insurgent activity across the area is levelling off and in some cases experiencing a bit of a lull, but some problem areas remain.”

He said General Nick Carter, Commander of Nato forces in southern Afghanistan, “remains very confident about how it’s going”.

“We are in the phase now where the locals are very much looking for signs of enduring commitment to the area.

“They are looking for signs of permanence and for their local police and army to deliver.”

Almost a fortnight since the offensive in central Helmand was launched, the “vast majority” of the area around Marjah is now under coalition control.