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Four soldiers die in Afghanistan Four soldiers die in Afghanistan
(20 minutes later)
Four UK soldiers, one believed to be a woman, have died in Afghanistan after their vehicle was caught in a blast.Four UK soldiers, one believed to be a woman, have died in Afghanistan after their vehicle was caught in a blast.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the bravery of the soldiers, who died east of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province.Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the bravery of the soldiers, who died east of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province.
The dead soldiers' next-of-kin have been informed. Their 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. Their deaths take to nine the number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan in the last 10 days.
If confirmed that one of the dead is a woman, she would be the first British female soldier to have died there.If confirmed that one of the dead is a woman, she would be the first British female soldier to have died there.
It is understood she was a member of the Intelligence Corps.It is understood she was a member of the Intelligence Corps.
The four deaths take to 106 the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001.The four deaths take to 106 the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
'Dangerous job''Dangerous job'
Three of the soldiers were killed in the blast and another was pronounced dead at the British military base at Camp Bastion.Three of the soldiers were killed in the blast and another was pronounced dead at the British military base at Camp Bastion.
The Taleban are losing in Afghanistan...we are enjoying a degree of success Defence Secretary Des Browne
A fifth soldier wounded in the attack, which happened at 1540 local time on Tuesday, is in a stable condition.A fifth soldier wounded in the attack, which happened at 1540 local time on Tuesday, is in a stable condition.
Mr Brown said: "I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the four brave British soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan and will be deeply mourned. The Taleban are losing in Afghanistan...we are enjoying a degree of success Defence Secretary Des Browne
"They were in the most dangerous of jobs in the most difficult of circumstances. Mr Brown told MPs that he offered his "profound condolences" to the families and friends of those who died.
"I salute, not just their bravery, dedication and professionalism, but that of all our armed forces. Our troops are the best in the world and fighting for the noblest of causes." He said the country was proud of the soldiers.
"They were undertaking the most difficult missions in the most dangerous of countries," he said.
"Our troops are a 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."
Des Browne sends his condolences to the familiesDes Browne sends his condolences to the families
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."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."
He added: "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."He added: "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 bodies of five British soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, were flown back to the UK this week.
Two of them, L/Cpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty, were patrolling on foot near their base in Helmand when they came under fire on Thursday last week.
Ptes Nathan Cuthbertson, David Murray and Daniel Gamble, also on foot patrol, died in a suicide bombing on 8 June.
The latest deaths are the biggest single loss of British lives in Afghanistan since an RAF Nimrod crash in 2006 which killed 14 servicemen.The latest deaths are the biggest single loss of British lives in Afghanistan since an RAF Nimrod crash in 2006 which killed 14 servicemen.
Extra troops BBC News 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 News defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the feeling among British military leaders was that the Taleban was being outgunned and that its 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'
The British army spokesman at Camp Bastion, 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, 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."
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 will 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 will 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.
Prince Harry has joined 200 service personnel at a memorial service at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Meanwhile Prince Harry has joined 200 service personnel at a memorial service at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.
They are commemorating the 24 soldiers who died during the deployment of the 52 Infantry Brigade in Helmand from October 2007 until April this year.They are commemorating the 24 soldiers who died during the deployment of the 52 Infantry Brigade in Helmand from October 2007 until April this year.