The bridge was constructed on the frontline between British and Taliban Forces in the Garmsir area. About 40 Royal Engineer soldiers from 26 Engineer Regiment bravely operated in the open to construct the bridge, and all of this in an area attacked over 100 times by the enemy in the past two months.
The operation, which began on Thursday 21 June 2007, involved over 200 soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters and the 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards. The operation was launched at night to limit the ability of the enemy to interfere with the construction of the 30 metre medium girder bridge.
This latest mission, codename Operation Bataka, is believed to be the first time since the Malaya conflict of the 1940s and 1950s that Royal Engineers have constructed a bridge on the front line. The bridge, capable of supporting medium trucks provides troops with the ability to rapidly strike at Taliban forces that have been attacking the town of Garmsir.
The second phase of the operation took advantage of the new bridge, with troops immediately attacking into an area previously held by the Taliban. The enemy was encountered and destroyed by soldiers from Number Three Company Grenadier Guards.
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Operation Bataka, the construction of the bridge and defeat of the Taliban forces has begun the process of slowly increasing the influence and control for the Afghan government in Garmsir.
Lieutenant Colonel Angus Watson, Commanding Officer of The Light Dragoons Battle Group, explained what effect Operation Bataka would have on the local population and on the Taliban:
"Some 700 soldiers are involved in this operation. That includes both British soldiers and, importantly, elements of the Afghan National Army, indeed a whole company."
"Firstly, Operation Bataka will have a significant effect on the enemy. More importantly it will provide a bigger space into which civilians can move back and continue the expansion of government and security in this area, which is what ultimately ISAF is here to achieve."
Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Mayo, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, added:
"This bridge gives us the opportunity to retaliate against the Taliban should they try and force us, or our Afghan National Army allies, out of Garmsir."