Soldiers from the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment supported an Afghan Uniform Police clearance operation in Yakchal, east of the town of Gereshk.[1] Insurgents often moved through the Yakchal area, which had previously been a source of improvised explosive devices used against British, American and Afghan forces.[1] The operation met only a limited response from insurgents, who were taken by surprise by its speed and efficiency.[1]
British-mentored Afghan police officers seized 400 kilos of hashish during the operation in Helmand province.[1] After completing the operation, the Afghan police found more than 400 kilograms of drugs which would have been used to fund attacks on security forces across Helmand.[1] British forces found anti-personnel mines, ammunition and improvised explosive device components.[1] One British troop recovered over 300 rounds of 7.62-millimetre ammunition and 10 mines.[1]
The operation took place with Afghan security forces firmly in the lead while British forces were drawing down ahead of the end of combat operations later that year.[1]
