Taliban 'in control' in Helmand

James Bays spent two days with the Taliban in Helmand and found that the group is running schools and medical facilities, and is travelling armed and unchallenged by Nato-led forces. Here is his report:

Behind Taliban lines, we travelled with a group of fighters across the deserts of Helmand province.

These hardened men are well-armed, ready for battle - and they told me they are ready for martyrdom too.

The journeys are often at break-neck speed – because of the risk of Nato air strikes.

Nato may be the master the skies - but the Taliban claim that they control large swathes of territory on the ground.

They took us on a trip - to show us how they operate almost unhindered in many areas.

New weapons

The group operates not only in rural areas but also towns such as Sangin.

We filmed along the main street, past the shopping bazaar.

There were Taliban fighters - with weapons - everywhere, and no sign of Nato or Afghan forces.

We filmed from a car, occupied by heavily armed Taliban fighters, yet the vehicle drove straight past the compound housing the British troops based in the town.

The Taliban fighters claim the British are too scared to even leave their base.

The sound of aircraft can be heard - but the fighters are not afraid - they dismissively call the planes "Bush’s kites".

And they claim soon they will soon be using a new anti-aircraft weapons.

One fighter said: "We are not scared of their aircraft - God is with us. We are not scared of anything."

'Spy' hanged

For a time, there was confusion about our permission to film.

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