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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| UK soldier killed in Afghanistan | UK soldier killed in Afghanistan |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, taking the total number killed there this year to 100. | A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, taking the total number killed there this year to 100. |
| The soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment died as a result of small arms fire in central Helmand Province on Monday. | The soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment died as a result of small arms fire in central Helmand Province on Monday. |
| The total number of UK troops killed since the start of operations in Afghanistan in October 2001 has now reached 237. | The total number of UK troops killed since the start of operations in Afghanistan in October 2001 has now reached 237. |
| The Ministry of Defence says next of kin have been informed. | The Ministry of Defence says next of kin have been informed. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown said every loss in Afghanistan was "a real and personal tragedy". | |
| "Today we mourn together the 100th British fatality in Afghanistan in 2009," he said. | "Today we mourn together the 100th British fatality in Afghanistan in 2009," he said. |
| Our people face a difficult and dangerous task in Afghanistan, and 2009 has been a particularly challenging year Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup What has been achieved? PM statement in full | |
| "My thoughts, and the entire nation's, are with the families and friends of every one of those brave men who have died this year; indeed, with every one of our service personnel who have lost their lives serving our country in Afghanistan since 2001." | "My thoughts, and the entire nation's, are with the families and friends of every one of those brave men who have died this year; indeed, with every one of our service personnel who have lost their lives serving our country in Afghanistan since 2001." |
| He said British troops were in Afghanistan to prevent al-Qaeda "using the country as a base from which to plot terrorist attacks against Britain". | He said British troops were in Afghanistan to prevent al-Qaeda "using the country as a base from which to plot terrorist attacks against Britain". |
| "I thank all our brave men and women for their commitment and courage," he added. | "I thank all our brave men and women for their commitment and courage," he added. |
| "We will never forget those who have died fighting for our country and we must also honour their memory. That means staying the course, doing what is right for Britain, and seeing this mission through." | "We will never forget those who have died fighting for our country and we must also honour their memory. That means staying the course, doing what is right for Britain, and seeing this mission through." |
| 'Real difference' | |
| Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said every death was "a sad loss". | |
| "Our people face a difficult and dangerous task in Afghanistan, and 2009 has been a particularly challenging year," he said. | |
| Afghanistan fallen: 'I have to keep going' | |
| "We remember those who have given their lives, the bereaved families and friends who are left behind, and all those who have been injured. | |
| "We also remember, though, what they have achieved through their sacrifice this year. There is still much to do, and there will be difficult days ahead, but our armed forces are making a real difference, and are building the basis for enduring success in Afghanistan." | |
| The 100th soldier to die this year was shot in the Nad-e Ali area in the southern province of Helmand. | |
| "Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Wakefield, said: "It is with great sadness I must confirm that a soldier from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment was shot and killed in Helmand province this afternoon." | |
| "He was one of us, one of our fellow soldiers, and we will remember him." | "He was one of us, one of our fellow soldiers, and we will remember him." |