Macabre deterrent in Afghanistan

Bloodstained uniforms taken from British troops as trophies have been hung from trees by the Taleban to intimidate Afghans from switching allegiance, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The tactic has been used in the area of Helmand Province where a 15,000-strong allied force is to launch an offensive. Shirts, combat jackets and water carriers covered in blood were hung from trees with the Taleban's white flag flown above them.

It is understood the items were either torn off bodies during a bomb blast or cut from wounded soldiers by medical staff who left them on the ground.