More troops for Afghanistan

More British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, amid increased fighting with Taliban fighters, according to reports.

According to a report in 'The Sun', around 1,000 more troops and extra aircraft are to be deployed in the country, while 'The Guardian' reported that hundreds of extra troops would be sent to the country to replace 800 engineers who had finished building a British camp near Lashkar Gah.

The Guardian said that the plans were part of a review of tactics drawn up by British and Nato commanders. However, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said that that there were no plans to increase the number of British combat troops from the current level of 3,300 and labelled reports of extra troops being sent to the country as "all speculation at the moment".

Later on Monday, however, Downing Street confrmed that more troops will be sent to Afghanistan if they are needed. However, Defence Minister Tom Watson told the Commons on Monday afternoon that no requests had been made for extra combat soldiers.

Earlier, the Prime Minister's official spokesperson said that this would be a matter for military commanders, not politicians, to decide.

The news comes comes after the death of two British soldiers who died at the weekend. Corporal Peter Thorpe and Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi from the 3rd Para Battlegroup were killed in a rocket grenade attack during fighting in the Helmand province in the south of the country, bringing the total of British troops killed in Afghanistan to five.

Four other personnel were also injured in the same attack, but their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Brigadier Ed Butler, the commander of British forces in Afghanistan, warned that further deaths were likely.

British commanders have also called for more equipment for their troops, including more helicopters.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said that British troops were stationed in Afghanistan in order to help rebuild the country. This required "facing down" the Taliban, Mr Browne said, who were prepared to "go to any lengths to oppose progress".

(KMcA/SP)