Army appeal on Afghan co-operation

Brigadier James Cowan backed Nato co-operation with Afghan forces

The killing of five British soldiers by an Afghan policeman must not prevent co-operation between the two nations, the commander of British forces in Afghanistan said.

Brigadier James Cowan, who heads up 11 Light Brigade, said partnering with the Afghan army and police was the "only way forward" and the incident showed "far from not doing it, we should be doing more of it".

Speaking during his first visit to newly-arrived troops in one of the most dangerous areas of Helmand, Brig Cowan said it was a winnable war and he believed the military had the support of the British public.

Soldiers, mainly from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, only arrived in Babaji a few weeks ago. The region was at the centre of the summer's Panther's Claw operation when 10 British soldiers were killed trying to clear the area of Taliban forces.

Brig Cowan, who took over in Helmand province on October 10, said controlling principal areas like Babaji was crucial if British troops were to succeed.

Asked if it was a winnable war, he said: "I absolutely think that it's a war that's winnable and in fact we are winning it.

"Because although those sad losses have happened we are actually taking the fight to the enemy and whatever losses they may have inflicted on us I can assure you we've inflicted a lot more on them."

But he added: "It's not about defeating the enemy, it's about winning the people. This is the area that was taken during operation Panther's Claw. The people are sick of the Taliban. What they want is peace and security and they welcome our presence."

On Tuesday five soldiers - three from the Grenadier Guards and two from the Royal Military Police - died when one of the policemen they had been training opened fire on them in a secure compound.

Brig Cowan said: "We're going to find out what happened with the individual. We have a very good relationship here with the Afghan National Army, I'm here today with my friend who commands the local battalion."