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Death takes UK Afghan toll to 200 Deaths take UK Afghan toll to 201
(about 6 hours later)
A British soldier has died from wounds suffered in Afghanistan, taking the number of UK troops killed since operations began in 2001 to 200. Two more British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, taking the number of UK personnel killed since operations began in 2001 to 201.
The soldier, from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh, died in hospital in Birmingham. Family have been informed. One, from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh, died in hospital from wounds suffered in a blast on Thursday.
He was injured in an explosion while on patrol in Helmand on Thursday. The second, from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, died after an explosion on Saturday while on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand province.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the death as "deeply tragic news", but renewed his commitment to the "vital" mission to make Afghanistan stable. Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the death as "deeply tragic news".
"Today is a day of mourning, and also a day of reflection. I want to thank the entire armed forces and the families and communities which sustain them," he said."Today is a day of mourning, and also a day of reflection. I want to thank the entire armed forces and the families and communities which sustain them," he said.
"We owe it to you all never to forget those who have died. But my commitment is clear: we must and will make Britain safer by making Afghanistan more stable."We owe it to you all never to forget those who have died. But my commitment is clear: we must and will make Britain safer by making Afghanistan more stable.
"We will honour and support those who have been killed or wounded in the field of battle. And we will give those who fight on all the support that they need to succeed in this vital mission.""We will honour and support those who have been killed or wounded in the field of battle. And we will give those who fight on all the support that they need to succeed in this vital mission."
'Deeply saddened' 'Not in vain'
The latest soldier to die in the conflict was wounded while on vehicle patrol near Musa Qala in Helmand province on Thursday morning. He died of his wounds on Saturday at the Royal College of Defence Medicine in Selly Oak. The Royal Welsh soldier had been on vehicle patrol near Musa Qala in Helmand province on Thursday morning.
Lt Col Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "We are deeply saddened by his loss and join with his family and friends to mourn his passing." Lt Col Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "The death of any comrade brings much sadness to the Task Force but we take consolation from the fact that these deaths are not in vain.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends so affected by this tragic event".
We must not fail in this task, and we will not Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth Have your say: Will UK succeed?We must not fail in this task, and we will not Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth Have your say: Will UK succeed?
A total of nine UK personnel have died this month as troops attempt to shore up security ahead of August elections. A total of 10 UK personnel have died this month as troops attempt to shore up security ahead of August elections.
The latest death follows those of three soldiers killed by roadside bombs while on foot patrol in Helmand on Thursday. The latest deaths follow those of three soldiers killed by roadside bombs while on foot patrol in Helmand on Thursday.
Two of the soldiers had been attempting to help a comrade who had been wounded by an earlier blast. Two had been attempting to help a comrade who had been wounded by an earlier blast.
Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, from County Durham, and Captain Mark Hale, both serving with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, were carrying Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, 23, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, from North Yorkshire, when they were hit by a second explosion.Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, from County Durham, and Captain Mark Hale, both serving with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, were carrying Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, 23, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, from North Yorkshire, when they were hit by a second explosion.
'Progress made''Progress made'
Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said news of the 200th death made it a "grim day" and said Britain mourned every loss of life in the conflict. Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said news of the latest deaths made it a "grim day" and said Britain mourned every loss of life in the conflict.
But he insisted UK troops had been making "good progress" in their mission.But he insisted UK troops had been making "good progress" in their mission.
He accepted the recent offensive against the Taliban - Operation Panther's Claw - was a "tough fight", but said it had brought nearly 80,000 Afghans out from under the "tyranny of the Taliban".He accepted the recent offensive against the Taliban - Operation Panther's Claw - was a "tough fight", but said it had brought nearly 80,000 Afghans out from under the "tyranny of the Taliban".
Mr Ainsworth also said he believed the second Afghan presidential elections, to be held later this week, would offer more Afghans "a stake in their own emerging democracy" and provide greater security for the UK.Mr Ainsworth also said he believed the second Afghan presidential elections, to be held later this week, would offer more Afghans "a stake in their own emerging democracy" and provide greater security for the UK.
"It is only by supporting the Afghan government and its security forces to bring stability can we ensure that we prevent Afghanistan becoming the haven for terrorists it once was, protecting Britain from attack and promoting peace across the region."It is only by supporting the Afghan government and its security forces to bring stability can we ensure that we prevent Afghanistan becoming the haven for terrorists it once was, protecting Britain from attack and promoting peace across the region.
"We must not fail in this task, and we will not.""We must not fail in this task, and we will not."
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said passing the 200th death mark served as a "stark reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of British troops in Helmand".Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said passing the 200th death mark served as a "stark reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of British troops in Helmand".