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Three UK soldiers die in Helmand Three UK soldiers die in Helmand
(about 4 hours later)
Three British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. Three British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan - taking the total deaths in the country since operations began to 199.
Two of the soldiers were from 2nd Battalion The Rifles and the third was from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery. Two were from 2nd Battalion The Rifles and the third from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, defence officials said.
They were killed while on foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand province on Thursday morning. Their next of kin have been informed. The soldiers were killed while on foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand province on Thursday morning.
The deaths bring the total in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 199. Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said the "tragedy" brought the UK close to the "sad milestone" of 200 fatalities.
'Sad milestone' 'Thoughts and prayers'
Lt Col Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "Today has been incredibly sad for the whole of Task Force Helmand, and particularly for The Rifles battle group, with whom all three soldiers were serving.Lt Col Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "Today has been incredibly sad for the whole of Task Force Helmand, and particularly for The Rifles battle group, with whom all three soldiers were serving.
"We will all feel the loss of these brave soldiers, but it is their family, friends and loved ones, as well as the men and women who served alongside them, who feel the greatest pain and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers.""We will all feel the loss of these brave soldiers, but it is their family, friends and loved ones, as well as the men and women who served alongside them, who feel the greatest pain and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers."
We cannot help but reflect on the toll the mission has taken on our people and their families Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth We must succeed. And we will Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said the loss of the three men was "a tragedy". Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "We cannot help but reflect on the toll the mission has taken on our people and their families and friends.
"It brings us very close to the sad milestone of 200 fatalities in this conflict," he said. "But we must also keep in the forefront of our minds how important it is to the security of this country and its citizens.
"We cannot help but reflect on the toll the mission has taken on our people and their families and friends. But we must also keep in the forefront of our minds how important it is to the security of this country and its citizens.
"So many young men and women have been injured or given their lives to ensure that Afghanistan does not fall back into the hands of the extremists and the terrorists who seek to threaten us and our interests."So many young men and women have been injured or given their lives to ensure that Afghanistan does not fall back into the hands of the extremists and the terrorists who seek to threaten us and our interests.
"We must succeed. And we will.""We must succeed. And we will."
Earlier on Thursday, the bodies of four British soldiers killed in Afghanistan earlier this month were flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.Earlier on Thursday, the bodies of four British soldiers killed in Afghanistan earlier this month were flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
A ceremony was held for their families followed by a procession in front of hundreds of mourners through the town of Wootton Basset.A ceremony was held for their families followed by a procession in front of hundreds of mourners through the town of Wootton Basset.