Afghan onslaught claims its first Army casualty

Lance Sergeant Dave Greenhalgh, 25, was killed "protecting his men" when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand yesterday, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Another British soldier, from 6 Rifles, died in an explosion yesterday while on foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand Province.

The MoD said he was not taking part in Operation Moshtarak.

L/Sgt Greenhalgh from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, who served with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died instantly.

The Grenadier Guards battle group commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Roly Walker, said: "He was killed protecting his men as they cleared a high threat area, where his task was to secure safe passage for others to then pass through to continue on their way.

"He was watching over others so they could move safe from harm, a noble purpose for which he paid the ultimate sacrifice."

The military death toll in Afghanistan now stands at 259.

More than 1,000 UK troops are taking part in Operation Moshtarak alongside Afghan forces.

Major General Gordon Messenger told a briefing in London that commanders on the ground were not complacent but were "very much of the view this has gone according to plan".

He said some UK troops had come under fire, but added: "Nothing has stopped the mission from progressing".

Maj Gen Messenger said no artillery had been fired and no bombs dropped in the area where UK efforts were focused but an Apache helicopter fired a Hellfire missile at insurgents after members of a Household Cavalry patrol were attacked from distance.

Soldiers from the Royal Welsh Regiment, working with Afghan forces, have uncovered 13 IEDs. Tunnels apparently used by insurgents were also found..

Work has begun building bridges over canals and building up temporary bases in the area.

Troops have also provided security allowing hundreds of elders to attend two Shuras – tribal gatherings – in a town that was the local seat of Taliban government.

Maj Gen Messenger said: "The Taliban flag has been taken down and replaced with the Afghan flag."

Cash for work programmes allowing local people to start improving the infrastructure could begin today.

"The challenge is to provide security that allows the Afghans to provide for their people," said Maj Gen Messenger.

"The success of this operation will be judged on that."

He said the Taliban were "divided and fractured" but remained an "adaptable foe".

"There is no complacency. It is not unusual for the Taliban to melt away to watch what's happening with a view to coming back at us once they catch their breath."

Twelve civilians were killed when a rocket missed its target and hit a house in Marjah – which is being targeted by a joint US and Afghan force.

A Downing Street spokesman said Gordon Brown was saddened by civilian deaths.

The spokesman said Nato forces "have done and continue to do everything possible" to reduce the risk to civilians.

"We deeply regret that lives have been lost," he added.

Operation Moshtarak – which means together in the Dari language – involves about 15,000 international security assistance force and Afghan troops.