Soldiers for The Black Watch have taken part in operation which led to the seizure of 1.5 tonnes of drugs during an assault on a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan.
Hundreds of soldiers swooped into Lakari in southern Helmand Province under cover of darkness on a mission to clear an area of drugs and ammunition.
Two platoons engaged in fire fights with the insurgents, allowing another group to search the area, where their finds included a block of hash the size of a football, and components for making bombs.
The Scottish soldiers were supported by an Afghan counter-narcotics team and US bomb disposal experts, US Marine Corps Harrier jets, Cobra helicopter gunships and unmanned drones controlled by Scots gunners from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery.
Black Watch commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright said the operation's impact would be felt throughout the area.
He said: "This was a key insurgent hot spot in southern Afghanistan and we have driven a wedge between the legitimate economic hub and the insurgent bomb facilitators.
"The long-term effect of this will be maintained by the US Marines who built an operating base to the north east of the bazaar. This will ensure that our gains are maintained and that the local Afghan population can once again exploit the economic potential of the area without the fear of explosive devices and insurgent violence."
Private Tony Brownless, 22, from Inverness, of Seven Platoon, said the finds were "amazing".
He said: "After hours of searching countless shops, we opened one and there were loads of big bags of hash and a stash of bomb components. The next shop had explosive devices made and ready to plant, plus components to make the bombs.
"I'm in no doubt that finding all of this has saved the lives of numerous people, and taking the drugs away from the Taliban has certainly reduced their ability to generate income."
