The incident did not appear to be combat-related, the military said in a written statement, and there was no enemy contact in the area.

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No battle plan survives the first contact with the enemy, according to German Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke.

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They should remember military theorist Carl von Clausewitz's dictum that all military plans evaporate after first contact with the enemy.

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The armed forces' rules of engagement stipulate under what circumstances British forces are allowed to open fire, either in direct contact with the enemy or to prevent an imminent attack.

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