Lieutenant Colonel James Coates, CO 3 PARA, talks with locals, Afghanistan, 2011

British soldiers today marked a security success, by facilitating a district governor’s shura – a traditional Afghan public meeting – in the previously troubled town of Showal. Paratroopers from A Company, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, along with their partners from the Afghan National Army, ensured security was safeguarded for District Governor Habibullah to speak to an audience of almost 250 local people. The tone was positive throughout from the charismatic leader. In the recent past, this sort of event would not have been possible but now down to the hard work of the British and Afghan forces operating in this area, normal life is beginning to resume and clear signs of progress are being seen. Although security is continually improving, there is still a need for ISAF presence while the process of training the Afghan security forces continues. The threat from the insurgents still exists and without the security element provided by 3 PARA and their Afghan partners, shuras like today’s would not happen. Lieutenant David Donnelly, 3 PARA spokesman, said: “The men of 3 PARA have quickly forged a reputation amongst local people in the area as the ‘fearless warriors’. The people talk of how they fight the insurgents and ‘don’t fall back, always going forward’. Locals are particularly pleased that their own soldiers and police officers are benefitting from training and mentoring from the 3 PARA troops and other British forces, whose ability they respect.” One local Afghan male commented at the shura: “Two months ago it was not possible to go down the streets safely but now people are out, children are playing and people regularly commute on the main roads. This is only possible because of the fearless warriors who wear the green patch.”