Allied commanders are finalising plans for British paratroopers to fight alongside American troops in Afghanistan, a newspaper report said on Sunday, which was played down by the Defence Ministry in London. US chiefs of staff believe a joint force of more than 25,000 is needed to defeat Taliban fighters in the southern city of Kandahar, the last major stronghold of the hardline Islamic militia, according to the ‘Sunday telegraph’. They want the 2nd battalion parachute regiment, known as 2 para, to encircle the movement's spiritual home along with elite US troops from the 101st and 82nd airborne divisions, the paper reported. About 6,000 British soldiers are on standby, ready to deploy into Afghanistan at 48 hours' notice to supplement and advance guard of 100 elite Royal Marine Commandos already deployed at Bagram air base north of Kabul. But no mass deployment by Britain has so far taken place, and there are signs of mounting frustration at senior government level in London at reports that the United States is effectively blocking such a move.
A senior officer told the ‘Sunday Telegraph’ that the British paratroopers could easily work with US forces. I know 2 para are itching to go and this would make perfect sense, he added. It just depends on political will. The paratroopers could easily work with US forces, he said. But a defence ministry spokeswoman said “There are no definite plans. We are looking at the situation day to day. Bureau Report