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Third soldier dies in Afghanistan | Third soldier dies in Afghanistan |
(20 minutes later) | |
A third British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, hours after the deaths of two soldiers in Helmand, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A third British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, hours after the deaths of two soldiers in Helmand, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
The death takes the number killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 179 - the same number as killed in the Iraq war. | The death takes the number killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 179 - the same number as killed in the Iraq war. |
The soldier, from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, died in the country's south. His next of kin have been informed. | The soldier, from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, died in the country's south. His next of kin have been informed. |
Ten British soldiers have now died in Afghanistan this month, including the two in separate attacks on Thursday. | Ten British soldiers have now died in Afghanistan this month, including the two in separate attacks on Thursday. |
The serviceman who died on Friday was killed near Nad Ali, Helmand province. | The serviceman who died on Friday was killed near Nad Ali, Helmand province. |
Lt Col Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "The loss of this brave Tankie has hit us all deeply. We grieve for him at this very sad time. | Lt Col Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "The loss of this brave Tankie has hit us all deeply. We grieve for him at this very sad time. |
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues who feel the greatest loss. His loss has not been in vain." | "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues who feel the greatest loss. His loss has not been in vain." |
Fight 'winnable' | Fight 'winnable' |
One of the two soldiers to die on Thursday was from 4th Battalion The Rifles. He was killed in a blast while on foot patrol near Nad Ali. | One of the two soldiers to die on Thursday was from 4th Battalion The Rifles. He was killed in a blast while on foot patrol near Nad Ali. |
The second, 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 second, 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. |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown responded to the news of the first two deaths from Italy, where he is attending the G8 summit. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown responded to the news of the first two deaths from Italy, where he is attending the G8 summit. |
"This is a very hard summer, it's not over but it's vital that the international community sees through its commitment [to Afghanistan]," he said. | "This is a very hard summer, it's not over but it's vital that the international community sees through its commitment [to Afghanistan]," he said. |
"There's a recognition that this is a task that the world has got to accept together. | "There's a recognition that this is a task that the world has got to accept together. |
"We must and we will do everything we can to support our forces as they put their lives on the line." | "We must and we will do everything we can to support our forces as they put their lives on the line." |
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth insisted that the conflict was "winnable" but warned that there would be no early end to the fighting. | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth insisted that the conflict was "winnable" but warned that there would be no early end to the fighting. |
BRITISH FATALITIES IN AFGHANISTAN MARCH 2006 - JULY 2009 September 2006: Highest monthly toll with 19 dead including 14 killed when a RAF Nimrod crashes in Afghanistan.June 2008: British death toll reaches 100 with the death of Pte Daniel Gamble, above. Among the 13 fatalities in June is the first British female soldier.May 2009: Surge in casualties as Taliban use powerful Improvised Explosive Devices to attack British forces. |