UK troops in Afghanistan leave Sangin

British troops in Afghanistan have handed over security in Sangin area of Helmand province to US troops, ending a four-mission that inflicted heavy casualties on the UK.

As many as 106 UK troops have been killed in Sangin, where they had taken responsibility for security since 2006.

British military’s death toll in Afghanistan have increased to 337 since the UK joined the US-led invasion of the country in 2001 in the aftermath of September 11 events in the United States.

Defense Secretary Liam Fox described Sangin as “one of the most challenging areas of Afghanistan”.

He said that “British forces will redeploy to central Helmand, where they will continue to lead the fight against the insurgency and assist in building a stable and secure Afghanistan”.

Sangin is a town of about 20,000 people and the area is a vital supply route for the Taliban, with men, money and drugs passing through it.

Almost 9,500 UK troops have been deployed in Afghanistan, with the majority serving in the south of the country.