On the front line in Afghanistan: British and Afghan troops on patrol in Babaji region

Channel 4 News joined Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and the British Coldstream Guards in Helmand on the biggest patrol of their tour, heading into a Taliban-controlled region of Babaji, north of the regional capital Lashkar Gah.

Afghanistan has sent more troop reinforcements to the southern city of Kandahar – after a recent series of deadly suicide bomb attacks. NATO troops are planning to move their massive offensive against the Taliban to the area – before they hand over control to the Afghan National Army.

But in neighbouring Helmand – British and allied troops are not clear whether the ANA is up to the task – while local insurgents are managing to hold down the NATO arsenal.