now disorganised, the paratroopers scrambled to find cover in the mountain brush, as fifty more militants rushed towards their position in a pincer movement from the southern ridge and the village. in addition, several "well-trained snipers" amongst the militants were present, as were heavy mortars, and presented unexpected problems for the coalition forces. rocket-propelled grenades damaged three afghan national police vehicles. the men of "carmin 2" dispersed over more than 200 metres to shelter themselves and found themselves pinned down. 600 metres below, the vabs started supporting "carmin 2" with suppressing fire from their 12.7mm machine guns.