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Two British troops die overseas Two British troops die overseas
(about 2 hours later)
One British soldier has been killed in Iraq and a British marine has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.One British soldier has been killed in Iraq and a British marine has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The soldier died while on duty in Basra and the marine was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand, officials confirmed.The soldier died while on duty in Basra and the marine was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand, officials confirmed.
The families of both men have been informed.The families of both men have been informed.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the news of the two deaths.Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the news of the two deaths.
The MoD said the British marine was killed during an ongoing mission to clear Taleban positions and firing points at Kajaki, in Helmand province. The Ministry of Defence said the marine was killed during a mission to clear Taleban positions and firing points at Kajaki, Helmand province.
They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and mythoughts are with them at this difficult time Brigadier Jerry Thomas UK Afghanistan fatalities British deaths in Iraq
'Terrible loss''Terrible loss'
Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends.Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends.
"They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.""They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time."
Officials said the soldier died in Basra while performing his duty. He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated MoD spokeswoman href="/1/hi/uk/5121552.stm" class="">UK Afghanistan fatalities href="/1/hi/uk/3847051.stm" class="">British deaths in Iraq
An MoD spokeswoman said the soldier who died in Iraq was hit by gun-fire after briefly leaving his armoured vehicle.
The soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was returning to his Basra base after a patrol when he was attacked.
"He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated and receiving the best possible treatment," the spokeswoman said.
She added that it was "quite normal" for soldiers to leave armoured vehicles during routine patrols.
Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss".Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss".
Fierce battleFierce battle
Earlier this week British troops killed up to 100 Taleban fighters as they destroyed a key base in Helmand province.Earlier this week British troops killed up to 100 Taleban fighters as they destroyed a key base in Helmand province.
It was described as the UK Task Force's biggest pre-planned operation in the area to date.It was described as the UK Task Force's biggest pre-planned operation in the area to date.
There are currently 6,000 British troops in Afghanistan, with 1,000 based in the capital, Kabul, and 5,000 in Helmand.There are currently 6,000 British troops in Afghanistan, with 1,000 based in the capital, Kabul, and 5,000 in Helmand.
In Iraq, there are 7,100 members of the British armed forces based around Basra in the south east of the country.In Iraq, there are 7,100 members of the British armed forces based around Basra in the south east of the country.
The last soldier to die in Iraq was Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, who was killed in a road accident in rural Maysan province on 7 January.The last soldier to die in Iraq was Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, who was killed in a road accident in rural Maysan province on 7 January.