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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK soldier killed in Afghanistan | UK soldier killed in Afghanistan |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. | A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. |
| The soldier, from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, was killed while on patrol in the Kajaki area of Helmand province during Monday afternoon. | The soldier, from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, was killed while on patrol in the Kajaki area of Helmand province during Monday afternoon. |
| His next of kin have been informed of his death, which brings the number of UK soldiers killed in the conflict since 2001 to 244. | His next of kin have been informed of his death, which brings the number of UK soldiers killed in the conflict since 2001 to 244. |
| A spokesman said: "His courage and his sacrifice will not be forgotten." | A spokesman said: "His courage and his sacrifice will not be forgotten." |
| Of the 244 deaths since the war began, 107 have happened in 2009 alone. | |
| During the Christmas period troops were given an extra hour of free phone calls home, on top of their normal 30 minutes' weekly allowance. | |
| However, Christmas Day saw many troops in Afghanistan carrying out their usual front-line patrols. |