HEROES OF AFGHANISTAN


Update


2nd Scots Pipers Entertain at an Important Joint Security Meeting


MAJOR ROBERT K. GUNTHER, US ARMY S


COTTISH troops played an appreciated – and tuneful – supporting role when a top


Aghan colonel convened a meeting of locals to discuss security arrangements in part of Helmand Province. Colonel Abdul Sattar Noorzai,


commanding officer of the 2nd Afghan National Police (ANP) Kandak, hosted a meeting for people in Lashkar Gah to discuss the local security situation. The shura (a traditional Afghan


public meeting) was held for those living along Helmand’s important Route 601.More than 180 attended, many more than previously, and it started and concluded with the bagpipes being played by the soldiers from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who partner the 2nd Kandak ANP.The music was received with enthusiastic acclaim by the Afghan people. Major Nick Wight- Boycott, Officer Commanding D Company, Royal Highland Fusiliers, explained:


‘The Afghans really


appreciate the pipes, which represent the many similarities between the Pashtuns and the Scots. Both peoples come from mountainous countries where tribes or clans have been central to the fabric of the nation for generations.’ Colonel Sattar then opened the


meeting, speaking about how the security situation was improving, but


23


P/M RoddyWeir has had to play at memorial services for the fallen


admitting there was still some way to go.He urged the people to reject the insurgents, whom he described as criminals. He also called on them to tell the police if they knew of insur- gents planting IEDs so that he and his men could come and deal with them. Following this Col Sattar


emphasised to the local farmers that it was ‘haram’ (forbidden) for them to grow opium and that any grown would be eradicated.Then the locals had an opportunity to present their concerns to Col Sattar. After the Shura, there was an


ineffective insurgent attempted to disrupt


the dispersals by local


nationals, but this quickly quelled by an ANP patrol. Major Wight-Boycott added:


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