IN PICTURES: Clearance patrols in and around the town of Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Resting up; British soldiers from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish take a break during a clearance patrol in the town of Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, 16 July 2006 [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

A Paratrooper from C Company, 3 Para covers colleagues from a stairwell as other British soldiers from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish conduct clearance patrols in and around Sangin. [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

British soldiers from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish conduct clearance patrols in and around the town of Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 16 July 2006 [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Keeping alert; Sangin has seen some of the fiercest clashes between British Forces and Taliban Insurgents during the past six weeks [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Machine-Gunners of the Fire-Support Group (FSG) prepare a 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine-Gun (GPMG) in the Sustained-Fire role [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

British soldiers from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish conduct clearance patrols in and around the town of Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 16 July 2006 [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Soldiers from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish continue their clearance patrols in and around Sangin, [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Paratroopers from C Company, 3 Para relax after completing their patrol [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

A signaller from C Company, 3 Para pauses while other British soldiers from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish conduct their clearance patrols [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

A sniper team watches the street [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

A Platoon Commander and his signaller pause to confer with other units from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Royal Engineers and paratroopers take up positions as other British soldiers from 3 Para and 1 Royal Irish carry out a clearance patrol [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Soldiers pause to confer as they conduct clearance patrols in and around the town of Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 16 July 2006 [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Moving with care; a soldier pauses during a patrol [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Tootal (left), Commanding Officer of 3 Para, briefs his company commanders prior to going out on patrol [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]