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Two UK soldiers die in explosion Two UK soldiers die in explosion
(29 minutes later)
Two British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Helmand province, in southern Afghanistan.Two British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Helmand province, in southern Afghanistan.
A soldier of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and one from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment were killed on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said.A soldier of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and one from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment were killed on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said.
UK troops last week launched a major offensive aimed at driving the Taliban out of strongholds in the province.UK troops last week launched a major offensive aimed at driving the Taliban out of strongholds in the province.
The deaths take the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 171. Next of kin have been informed.The deaths take the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 171. Next of kin have been informed.
'Grief'
A further six members of Nato forces were also wounded in the attack in Helmand, which involved an improvised explosive device (IED).A further six members of Nato forces were also wounded in the attack in Helmand, which involved an improvised explosive device (IED).
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and colleagues who feel the greatest loss Lt Col Nick Richardson US opens 'major Afghan offensive'
Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col Nick Richardson, said there was a deep sense of loss as a result of the soldiers' deaths.Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col Nick Richardson, said there was a deep sense of loss as a result of the soldiers' deaths.
He said: "We grieve for them at this very sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and colleagues who feel the greatest loss."He said: "We grieve for them at this very sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and colleagues who feel the greatest loss."
An MoD spokesman confirmed the soldiers had been killed while on Operation Panthers Claw near Lashkar Gah in central Helmand.An MoD spokesman confirmed the soldiers had been killed while on Operation Panthers Claw near Lashkar Gah in central Helmand.
US offensive
The operation is one of the UK military's biggest co-ordinated air operations of modern times.The operation is one of the UK military's biggest co-ordinated air operations of modern times.
US offensive
It was launched to drive the Taliban out of strongholds in and around Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah.It was launched to drive the Taliban out of strongholds in and around Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah.
The news of the two British soldiers' deaths came on the same day as the US army announced it had launched a major offensive against the Taliban, also in Helmand.The news of the two British soldiers' deaths came on the same day as the US army announced it had launched a major offensive against the Taliban, also in Helmand.
The US offensive involves nearly 4,000 US Marines and 650 Afghan troops.The US offensive involves nearly 4,000 US Marines and 650 Afghan troops.
The operation - named Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword - aims to clear insurgents from the region ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election in August.The operation - named Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword - aims to clear insurgents from the region ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election in August.
Thousands of UK soldiers under Nato command have been fighting the Taliban in Helmand since 2006, but there has been criticism that they have been overstretched and under-resourced.Thousands of UK soldiers under Nato command have been fighting the Taliban in Helmand since 2006, but there has been criticism that they have been overstretched and under-resourced.