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Woman soldier among Afghan dead Woman soldier among Afghan dead
(5 days later)
Four UK soldiers, one of them a woman, have died in Afghanistan after their vehicle was caught in an explosion.Four UK soldiers, one of them a woman, have died in Afghanistan after their vehicle was caught in an explosion.
The woman, believed to a member of the Intelligence Corps, is the first female UK soldier to have died in the country.The woman, believed to a member of the Intelligence Corps, is the first female UK soldier to have died in the country.
Gordon Brown praised the bravery of the soldiers, who died east of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province, on Tuesday.Gordon Brown praised the bravery of the soldiers, who died east of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province, on Tuesday.
The dead soldiers' next-of-kin have been informed. The deaths take to nine the number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan in the last 10 days.The dead soldiers' next-of-kin have been informed. The deaths take to nine the number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan in the last 10 days.
The Ministry of Defence is not expected to name the soldiers until Thursday.The Ministry of Defence is not expected to name the soldiers until Thursday.
Since 2001, 106 British soldiers have died during operations in Afghanistan.Since 2001, 106 British soldiers have died during operations in Afghanistan.
'Dangerous job''Dangerous job'
The five soldiers were on patrol with Afghan National police, conducting vehicle checkpoints, when a mine exploded.The five soldiers were on patrol with Afghan National police, conducting vehicle checkpoints, when a mine exploded.
Three of the soldiers were killed immediately in the blast and another was pronounced dead at the British military base, Camp Bastion.Three of the soldiers were killed immediately in the blast and another was pronounced dead at the British military base, Camp Bastion.
A fifth soldier wounded in the attack, which happened at 1540 local time, is in a stable condition.A fifth soldier wounded in the attack, which happened at 1540 local time, is in a stable condition.
Des Browne sends his condolences to the familiesDes Browne sends his condolences to the families
News of the deaths came as Prince Harry joined 200 service personnel at a memorial service for dead soldiers at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.News of the deaths came as Prince Harry joined 200 service personnel at a memorial service for dead soldiers at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.
They service was to remember the 24 soldiers who died during the deployment of the 52 Infantry Brigade in Helmand from October 2007 until April this year. The service was to remember the 24 soldiers who died during the deployment of 52 Infantry Brigade in Helmand from October 2007 until April this year.
The prime minister told MPs on Wednesday that he offered his "profound condolences" to the families and friends of those who had died in the latest attack.The prime minister told MPs on Wednesday that he offered his "profound condolences" to the families and friends of those who had died in the latest attack.
He said the country was proud of the soldiers.He said the country was proud of the soldiers.
"They were undertaking the most difficult missions in the most dangerous of countries," he said."They were undertaking the most difficult missions in the most dangerous of countries," he said.
"Our troops are second to none, the best in the world. They are on the noblest of missions, they are fighting for freedom for the Afghans in their own country and for the world in protecting us from terrorism." While the past week or so has indeed been bruising, and no-one would deny that, we must remain fixed on what the strategic imperative is here Lt Col Robin MatthewsBritish army spokesman"Our troops are second to none, the best in the world. They are on the noblest of missions, they are fighting for freedom for the Afghans in their own country and for the world in protecting us from terrorism." While the past week or so has indeed been bruising, and no-one would deny that, we must remain fixed on what the strategic imperative is here Lt Col Robin MatthewsBritish army spokesman
Earlier, Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "We've had a very difficult time over the last 10 days. We've lost nine soldiers altogether in three separate incidents.Earlier, Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "We've had a very difficult time over the last 10 days. We've lost nine soldiers altogether in three separate incidents.
"The Taleban are losing in Afghanistan, I know it may not appear like that at the moment, but we are enjoying a degree of success.""The Taleban are losing in Afghanistan, I know it may not appear like that at the moment, but we are enjoying a degree of success."
The latest deaths are the biggest single loss of British lives in Afghanistan since the RAF Nimrod crash in 2006 that killed 14 servicemen.The latest deaths are the biggest single loss of British lives in Afghanistan since the RAF Nimrod crash in 2006 that killed 14 servicemen.
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the feeling among British military leaders was that the Taleban were being outgunned and that their command-and-control was disintegrating.BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the feeling among British military leaders was that the Taleban were being outgunned and that their command-and-control was disintegrating.
The problem is that this has driven the Taleban to measures such as the latest explosion, which are very difficult to defend against, she said.The problem is that this has driven the Taleban to measures such as the latest explosion, which are very difficult to defend against, she said.
'Courage shown''Courage shown'
The British army spokesman at Camp Bastion, Lt Col Robin Matthews, said: "While the past week or so has indeed been bruising, and no-one would deny that, we must remain fixed on what the strategic imperative is here.The British army spokesman at Camp Bastion, Lt Col Robin Matthews, said: "While the past week or so has indeed been bruising, and no-one would deny that, we must remain fixed on what the strategic imperative is here.
"That is delivering a better life, and progress, to the Afghan people.""That is delivering a better life, and progress, to the Afghan people."
He added: "All of us have admiration for the work that both male and female British soldiers are doing here and the courage they are showing, acknowledging the risks that are apparent in this particular part of Afghanistan."He added: "All of us have admiration for the work that both male and female British soldiers are doing here and the courage they are showing, acknowledging the risks that are apparent in this particular part of Afghanistan."
He said recent events had led soldiers to "reflect on the nature of business here", but they could see the tangible results of their work and were willing to take risks.He said recent events had led soldiers to "reflect on the nature of business here", but they could see the tangible results of their work and were willing to take risks.
Conservative MP and former infantry officer Patrick Mercer believes more could be done to protect British forces from such attacks.Conservative MP and former infantry officer Patrick Mercer believes more could be done to protect British forces from such attacks.
He said: "If you have off-route mines, roadside bombs, why don't we have the helicopters that are available?He said: "If you have off-route mines, roadside bombs, why don't we have the helicopters that are available?
"Helicopters are still vulnerable, but they're not vulnerable to this sort of weapon.""Helicopters are still vulnerable, but they're not vulnerable to this sort of weapon."
Mr Browne announced this week that British troop numbers in Afghanistan would rise by 230 to a new high of more than 8,000 by next spring.Mr Browne announced this week that British troop numbers in Afghanistan would rise by 230 to a new high of more than 8,000 by next spring.
The new troops will boost protection for UK personnel, improve Afghan security training and aid reconstruction work.The new troops will boost protection for UK personnel, improve Afghan security training and aid reconstruction work.
The former head of the Army, Gen Sir Mike Jackson, said on Tuesday that British troops must be prepared to match the "strategic endurance" of the Taleban.The former head of the Army, Gen Sir Mike Jackson, said on Tuesday that British troops must be prepared to match the "strategic endurance" of the Taleban.
He welcomed the announcement of more troops for Afghanistan, and said it would be wrong to set a time frame on withdrawing forces.He welcomed the announcement of more troops for Afghanistan, and said it would be wrong to set a time frame on withdrawing forces.