Monday, February 7, 2011

Teenage soldier discovers bomb factory in Afghanistan

A teenage British soldier saved the lives of dozens of his comrades when he discovered hidden cache of ten Taliban bombs during a patrol in Helmand.   

Ranger Gavin Edgar, 19, who only joined the Army last year and is on his first operational tour, discovered the improvised explosive devices hidden beneath a large hay bale in the area of Nad e'Ali in central Helmand.

The soldier, a member of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, was leading a patrol through a hamlet last week when he suspected that a bomb or bomb-making equipment might be hidden beneath the hay bale.

The soldier, who holds the position of lead "Vallon Man" – the Vallon is a mine detector – is responsible for trying to discover hidden bombs and explosive caches when on patrol.

The job is regarded as one of the most dangerous but important roles in Afghanistan.

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