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| Two more UK deaths in Afghanistan | Two more UK deaths in Afghanistan |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two more UK troops have been killed in separate attacks in Helmand province in Afghanistan, the eighth and ninth soldiers to be killed this month. | Two more UK troops have been killed in separate attacks in Helmand province in Afghanistan, the eighth and ninth soldiers to be killed this month. |
| One soldier was killed in an explosion and the second died from a gunshot wound. Their next of kin have been informed, the Ministry of Defence said. | One soldier was killed in an explosion and the second died from a gunshot wound. Their next of kin have been informed, the Ministry of Defence said. |
| The soldiers, who died on Thursday, were from 4th Battalion The Rifles and Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. | The soldiers, who died on Thursday, were from 4th Battalion The Rifles and Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. |
| The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 178. | The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 178. |
| The soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles was killed in a blast while on foot patrol near Nad Ali on Thursday afternoon. | The soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles was killed in a blast while on foot patrol near Nad Ali on Thursday afternoon. |
| We know that their deaths were not in vain Lt Col Nick Richardson class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8142412.stm">Son paid ultimate sacrifice | |
| The soldier from Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was killed during an engagement with insurgent forces near Lashkar Gah on Thursday evening. | The soldier from Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was killed during an engagement with insurgent forces near Lashkar Gah on Thursday evening. |
| Lt Col Nick Richardson said: "These fine British soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice and their memory will live with us forever. | Lt Col Nick Richardson said: "These fine British soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice and their memory will live with us forever. |
| "We mourn their loss and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this very sad time. We know that their deaths were not in vain." | "We mourn their loss and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this very sad time. We know that their deaths were not in vain." |
| British forces are engaged in a major offensive in Helmand province, in the south of the country, and have been joined by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops. | British forces are engaged in a major offensive in Helmand province, in the south of the country, and have been joined by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops. |
| The joint campaign is designed to drive the Taliban out of the region and make it safe for presidential elections due next month. | The joint campaign is designed to drive the Taliban out of the region and make it safe for presidential elections due next month. |
| Earlier this week, following news of the seven deaths before Thursday's, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said more soldiers would die before the operation was over. | |
| In his first speech since being appointed defence secretary, Mr Ainsworth said the way forward in Afghanistan would be "hard and dangerous". | |
| He said: "More lives will be lost and our resolve is going to be tested... Success will be achieved incrementally." |