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| UK Afghan casualty rate hits high | UK Afghan casualty rate hits high |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| British forces in Afghanistan suffered their highest injury rate this month since the mission began in 2001, new Ministry of Defence figures show. | British forces in Afghanistan suffered their highest injury rate this month since the mission began in 2001, new Ministry of Defence figures show. |
| A total of 57 UK troops were wounded in action in the first two weeks of July alone, compared with 46 in the whole of June and 24 in May. | A total of 57 UK troops were wounded in action in the first two weeks of July alone, compared with 46 in the whole of June and 24 in May. |
| Of the injuries in the first 15 days of July, 16 service personnel were seriously or very seriously wounded. | Of the injuries in the first 15 days of July, 16 service personnel were seriously or very seriously wounded. |
| July has also seen the most deaths - some 22 - since operations began. | July has also seen the most deaths - some 22 - since operations began. |
| An anti-war group said the rising casualty rate underlined how "unwinnable" the war in Afghanistan was becoming. | An anti-war group said the rising casualty rate underlined how "unwinnable" the war in Afghanistan was becoming. |
| We have certainly seen a surge in casualties. It is difficult to see young, fit guys who may have to have multiple amputations Lt Col Nigel Tai New life 'tough' after losing limb Blast soldier's body flown home Soldier takes war protest to PM | We have certainly seen a surge in casualties. It is difficult to see young, fit guys who may have to have multiple amputations Lt Col Nigel Tai New life 'tough' after losing limb Blast soldier's body flown home Soldier takes war protest to PM |
| The rise in injuries and deaths came as coalition forces completed the first phase of their heaviest offensive yet - Operation Panther's Claw - against the Taliban ahead of elections on 20 August. | The rise in injuries and deaths came as coalition forces completed the first phase of their heaviest offensive yet - Operation Panther's Claw - against the Taliban ahead of elections on 20 August. |
| Along with 38 UK personnel who were admitted to field hospitals suffering from disease or a non-battle injury in the first two weeks in July, there have now been some 2,650 casualties in Afghanistan since the start of MoD records in 2006. | Along with 38 UK personnel who were admitted to field hospitals suffering from disease or a non-battle injury in the first two weeks in July, there have now been some 2,650 casualties in Afghanistan since the start of MoD records in 2006. |
| This year, 61 have been "seriously" or "very seriously" hurt, compared with a total of 65 for the whole of 2008. See a graph of UK casualties in Afghanistan | This year, 61 have been "seriously" or "very seriously" hurt, compared with a total of 65 for the whole of 2008. See a graph of UK casualties in Afghanistan |
| The figures on casualties provided by the MoD do not include deaths, which are tallied separately. | The figures on casualties provided by the MoD do not include deaths, which are tallied separately. |
| A military surgeon told the BBC that treating the dying and wounded resulting from Operation Panther's Claw had proved a "very challenging" time for army medical teams. | A military surgeon told the BBC that treating the dying and wounded resulting from Operation Panther's Claw had proved a "very challenging" time for army medical teams. |
| Lt Col Nigel Tai said: "We have certainly seen a surge in casualties. It is difficult to see young, fit guys who may have to have multiple amputations. | Lt Col Nigel Tai said: "We have certainly seen a surge in casualties. It is difficult to see young, fit guys who may have to have multiple amputations. |
| "We try to salvage limbs, but at the same time we have to preserve life." | "We try to salvage limbs, but at the same time we have to preserve life." |
| A spokesman for the Stop the War campaign said government assertions about the success of anti-Taliban operations were rendered "absurd" by the rising casualty figures. | A spokesman for the Stop the War campaign said government assertions about the success of anti-Taliban operations were rendered "absurd" by the rising casualty figures. |
| "The British military under-estimated the strength of the Taliban forces opposing them when they launched this offensive," he said. | "The British military under-estimated the strength of the Taliban forces opposing them when they launched this offensive," he said. |
| "These figures show just how unwinnable this war is." | "These figures show just how unwinnable this war is." |
| The campaign group was due to accompany a serving soldier - L/Cpl Joe Glenton of the Royal Logistic Corps - to Downing Street on Thursday, where he planned to deliver a letter to the Prime Minister protesting against the conflict. | The campaign group was due to accompany a serving soldier - L/Cpl Joe Glenton of the Royal Logistic Corps - to Downing Street on Thursday, where he planned to deliver a letter to the Prime Minister protesting against the conflict. |
| The Yorkshire soldier is facing a preliminary court martial after saying he would not return to Afghanistan. | The Yorkshire soldier is facing a preliminary court martial after saying he would not return to Afghanistan. |
| 'Possible mistake' | 'Possible mistake' |
| Earlier, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said it had "possibly" been a mistake for the government to seek to reduce payouts made by a pensions appeal tribunal to two wounded servicemen. | Earlier, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said it had "possibly" been a mistake for the government to seek to reduce payouts made by a pensions appeal tribunal to two wounded servicemen. |
| But he told the BBC the case had to be brought to clear up confusion over compensation payments. | But he told the BBC the case had to be brought to clear up confusion over compensation payments. |
| Mr Ainsworth said: "In isolation, it possibly was [a mistake], but we had to clarify the situation that we were left with with the tribunal. | Mr Ainsworth said: "In isolation, it possibly was [a mistake], but we had to clarify the situation that we were left with with the tribunal. |
| "What I couldn't have is people with the exact same injury getting different levels of compensation and what I couldn't have is people with the most serious injuries not having that reflected in the payments that were made." | "What I couldn't have is people with the exact same injury getting different levels of compensation and what I couldn't have is people with the most serious injuries not having that reflected in the payments that were made." |
| Meanwhile, a plane carrying the bodies of the latest British soldiers killed in blasts in Afghanistan has arrived back at a military base. | Meanwhile, a plane carrying the bodies of the latest British soldiers killed in blasts in Afghanistan has arrived back at a military base. |
| Warrant Officer Class 2 Sean Upton, of the 5 Regiment Royal Artillery, and Trooper Phillip Lawrence, of The Light Dragoons, died in separate explosions in Helmand province on 27 July. | |
| Bombardier Craig Hopson, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, died on 25 July in a roadside bomb attack. | |
| After the three men's families pay their respects at the chapel at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, the cortege is due to drive through the town of Wootton Bassett later. | After the three men's families pay their respects at the chapel at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, the cortege is due to drive through the town of Wootton Bassett later. |
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