SOLDIERS from the region’s Army regiment helped their Afghan counterparts escape a gun battle with Taliban insurgents, as efforts to improve security in the war zone continue.

Members of 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly the Green Howards, are mentoring the Afghan National Army (Ana).

Afghan soldiers in Sangin were on patrol with British comrades when they came under attack from machine gun fire.

After consulting their British mentors, the Ana went on the offensive and pushed towards the enemy.

They secured a small village before moving north and locating the enemy firing point.

Enemy fire intensified, but the Ana soldiers and their British comrades pushed on and reached the enemy position with no casualties, only to find that the insurgents had fled.

Lieutenant Ian Atkins, of 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, also known as 2 Yorks, has been helping to mentor Ana troops.

He said, in addition to improving the Afghans’ fighting skills, he sees his role as building relationships with locals.

Lt Atkins said: “My main effort is working on the understanding that solving the problem is not just about going out and fighting the enemy – which is what the Ana are very good at – it is more about getting the Ana to see the importance of working with the local nationals.””