Scottish troops prepare to train police in Afghanistan

Published on 19/03/2013 00:42

Around 350 Scots soldiers are preparing to leave for Afghanistan for a six-month tour.

Troops from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS), will be tasked with training Afghan police as the UK and other nations plan to scale back their military presence there.

The Penicuik-based battalion will advise police chiefs in 
Nad-e-Ali, Nahr-e-Saraj and Lashkah Gar and help train new officers, the Ministry of Defence said.

They are being deployed as part of Task Force Helmand led by the British Army’s 1 Mechanised Brigade.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Robin Lindsay said: “I am clear that we have a pivotal role at this point in the campaign.

“Assisting and advising the Afghan police in their role of providing security for the Afghan people is a very valuable and worthwhile task.

“2 SCOTS will be building on the good work of our predecessors and our focus is now on ensuring that the institutions of the Afghan police are further strengthened through effective training.”

Prime Minister David Cameron announced in December that the number of UK troops in Afghanistan will be almost halved over this year to 5,200.

Numbers could be cut further if better-than-expected progress is made