British troops start mission in Helmand

The British troops have started their first patrols in the southern province of Helmand, officials said on February 25. More than 3,500 British troops are going to be deployed in the province in coming three months, under the framework of NATO. The British forces have said their major task in the province will be to fight narcotics. Helmand is a major poppy-growing province, accounting for a quarter of the opium produced in Afghanistan.