Sappers stand by for peace-keeping mission
00:00, 07 December 2001
MAIDSTONE soldiers are on a five-day stand-by for action in Afghanistan. The Sappers from 36 Engineer Regiment at Invicta Park, await a decision from the Government over plans to increase the peace-keeping deployment now fulfilled mostly by special forces.
The Sappers' stand-by has been scaled down over the last three weeks with the success of the campaign against the Taliban. Last month, 700 Maidstone troops were on almost immediate stand-by for action to help repel the Taliban and establish order in the country.
But now the urgency has declined with plans in place to set up a coalition government aimed at putting a conclusive end to 23 years of civil war. The Sappers could yet be needed for essential programmes to help rebuild the country - establishing power supplies, rebuilding bridges and helping to clear mines and other ordnance.
Captain Steve Davies, adjutant of 36 Engineer Regiment, said: "We have quite a large section of the regiment ready and able to deploy."
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
‘Plumbers charged my elderly relatives £8,560 but settled on £765 when challenged’
22 - 2
Video captures panic as fireworks display goes wrong and ‘boy’s face burnt’
11 - 3
Family-run garage closes for final time after 92 years of trade
5 - 4
Kent pub 'surrounded by sheep' named one of UK's best to visit in autumn
3 - 5
‘I’d much rather have a full restaurant than Michelin stars’
5