Operation Tor Shezada: 'Initial areas are secured'

British forces are said to be making progress in a new operation to push Taliban insurgents out of a stronghold in southern Afghanistan.

Operation Tor Shezada began before dawn on Friday in Helmand province with soldiers being dropped by helicopter near the town of Saidabad.

Insurgents are thought to make bombs and plan attacks from the area.

Maj Simon Ridgway, 1st Lancs Battlegroup, said troops had secured the areas initially earmarked.