Estonian troops resume patroling Helmand after leave

01.03.2008

TALLINN, Mar 01, BNS - The Estonian infantry company ESTCOY-5 has resumed performing duties in Helmand Province in the south of Afghanistan after the end of a ten-day home leave, the General Staff reports.

The unit has to ensure the security of the town of Now Zad and its environs and block the activity of Taliban insurgents, Eero Kinnunen, the chief of the company that resumed patroling today, said.

The infantry unit is supported by the logistics team NSE-4.

Estonian soldiers are part of the British-led battle group in Helmand.

Estonian defense forces have been participating in the NATO-led security and development mission ISAF in Afghanistan since March 2003, the infantry joined the operation in May 2006. The ISAF forces consist of military from 40 countries.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8815, sise@bns.ee