Soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade prepare explosive charges, Operation BAGHI, Afghanistan, 2006

Digital image associated with 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault), 51 Parachute Squadron, 16 Air Assault Brigade, Operation HERRICK, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, 2006.

The soldiers are constructing 'mousehole' explosive charges. In Helmand Province these were used to breach holes in walls to allow troops access to compounds or buildings without exposing men to possible Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which were often laid by insurgents near doorways and on more obvious or direct approach routes.