Menu
14/12/2009
Brown's Pledge On Afghan Explosives
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has returned from a weekend in Afghanistan pledging to tackle deadly roadside bombs in the war torn region.
He is expected to outline further funding for front-line troops, aimed at increasing the detection of explosive devices, tomorrow.
A new Afghan intelligence network will support efforts, and form part of a £150m increased spend in the UK's military mission.
As well as targeting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), more funds are expected to be directed at the supply of helicopters.
Money will be distributed over the next three years, and will see the formation of a British-based specialist training facility.
Over £10m will be used to purchase 400 hi-tech robot mine detectors.
Taliban forces have increasingly used IEDs since 2006.
According to the Ministry of Defence, rebels are now making the devices on an "industrial scale".
Almost half the 237 serving UK personnel killed in Afghanistan were killed by explosives.
Most of the 122 deaths were linked to IEDs.
Speaking during his visit to Helmand, the Prime Minister said 1,500 devices had been dismantled by UK soldiers in the last six months.
He met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kandahar, and later slept in "basic quarters" at a nearby air base and NATO headquarters.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth is due to address MPs tomorrow, and announce the closure of at least on RAF base and the scaling back of operations in Cyprus.
(PR/BMcC)
He is expected to outline further funding for front-line troops, aimed at increasing the detection of explosive devices, tomorrow.
A new Afghan intelligence network will support efforts, and form part of a £150m increased spend in the UK's military mission.
As well as targeting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), more funds are expected to be directed at the supply of helicopters.
Money will be distributed over the next three years, and will see the formation of a British-based specialist training facility.
Over £10m will be used to purchase 400 hi-tech robot mine detectors.
Taliban forces have increasingly used IEDs since 2006.
According to the Ministry of Defence, rebels are now making the devices on an "industrial scale".
Almost half the 237 serving UK personnel killed in Afghanistan were killed by explosives.
Most of the 122 deaths were linked to IEDs.
Speaking during his visit to Helmand, the Prime Minister said 1,500 devices had been dismantled by UK soldiers in the last six months.
He met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kandahar, and later slept in "basic quarters" at a nearby air base and NATO headquarters.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth is due to address MPs tomorrow, and announce the closure of at least on RAF base and the scaling back of operations in Cyprus.
(PR/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 December 2003
18 die in Baghdad tanker explosion
Up to 18 people are reported to have been killed after a fuel tanker exploded on a busy road in Baghdad today. Initial reports suggest that around 15 people have also been injured in the blast which occurred at a crossroads in the capital's western district of Bayaa.
18 die in Baghdad tanker explosion
Up to 18 people are reported to have been killed after a fuel tanker exploded on a busy road in Baghdad today. Initial reports suggest that around 15 people have also been injured in the blast which occurred at a crossroads in the capital's western district of Bayaa.
27 November 2003
Al Qaeda suspect arrested in Gloucester
Gloucestershire Constabulary officers working with the Metropolitan Police Service have arrested a 24-year-old man at his home address in the Barton Street area of Gloucester this morning.
Al Qaeda suspect arrested in Gloucester
Gloucestershire Constabulary officers working with the Metropolitan Police Service have arrested a 24-year-old man at his home address in the Barton Street area of Gloucester this morning.
22 February 2007
More time to question letter bomb suspect
Police have been granted a further 24 hours to continue questioning a school caretaker arrested in connection with the recent series of letter bomb attacks in the UK. Police have until 4pm on Thursday to continue questioning Miles Cooper. Mr Cooper, 27, was arrested at his home in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge on Monday afternoon.
More time to question letter bomb suspect
Police have been granted a further 24 hours to continue questioning a school caretaker arrested in connection with the recent series of letter bomb attacks in the UK. Police have until 4pm on Thursday to continue questioning Miles Cooper. Mr Cooper, 27, was arrested at his home in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge on Monday afternoon.
21 February 2007
Deadline arrives for questioning of letter bomb suspect
Police have until 4pm on Wednesday afternoon to continue questioning a school caretaker in connection with the recent series of letter bomb attacks in the UK. Miles Cooper, 27, was arrested at his home in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge on Monday afternoon. Mr Cooper works as a caretaker at Teversham Church of England Primary School.
Deadline arrives for questioning of letter bomb suspect
Police have until 4pm on Wednesday afternoon to continue questioning a school caretaker in connection with the recent series of letter bomb attacks in the UK. Miles Cooper, 27, was arrested at his home in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge on Monday afternoon. Mr Cooper works as a caretaker at Teversham Church of England Primary School.
20 February 2007
Police continue to question letter bomb suspect
Police have been granted an extra day to question a school caretaker in connection with the recent series of letter bomb attacks at businesses in Britain. Miles Cooper, understood to be in his twenties, was arrested at his home in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge on Monday. He is being held at an undisclosed police station.
Police continue to question letter bomb suspect
Police have been granted an extra day to question a school caretaker in connection with the recent series of letter bomb attacks at businesses in Britain. Miles Cooper, understood to be in his twenties, was arrested at his home in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge on Monday. He is being held at an undisclosed police station.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
