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UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan | UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan |
(30 minutes later) | |
Two Nato soldiers killed in clashes in Afghanistan on Saturday were British, the Ministry of Defence has said. | Two Nato soldiers killed in clashes in Afghanistan on Saturday were British, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
The two men, both from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, were killed in a Taleban rocket attack in the southern Helmand province. | |
Brig Jerry Thomas, Commander of Afghanistan's UK forces, said losing two men was a "deeply saddening blow". | |
In a separate incident, 16 civilians died in what was described by US forces in Afghanistan as a "complex ambush". | |
Daily clashes | |
The British soldiers were taking part in an operation in the Sangin area of Helmand province as part of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force when they were killed. | |
Brig Thomas said: "The loss of two of our men in one incident is a deeply saddening blow. | |
"It will be particularly badly felt by all those back home and I would like to sincerely convey my thoughts and condolences to the men's families and friends at this very difficult time." | |
The families of the two men have been informed, he added. | |
The BBC's Alastair Leithead said British troops in the south of the country are clashing daily with Taleban forces and have experienced heavy fighting over the last few days. | |
A large number of insurgents were crossing the Pakistan border to attack Nato forces, our correspondent said. | |
The number of UK troops killed in combat operations in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 50. | The number of UK troops killed in combat operations in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 50. |
Suicide attack | Suicide attack |
In a separate incident, a suicide bomber targeted a US convoy, sparking a fire fight on the road from the eastern city of Jalalabad to Pakistan. | |
A total of 16 civilians were killed in what was described as a "complex ambush" by US forces. | |
The US military said a minibus containing explosives was driven at the convoy, injuring one soldier. | The US military said a minibus containing explosives was driven at the convoy, injuring one soldier. |
Twenty foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan this year and Nato fears that Taleban violence will escalate in several areas of the country as the winter snows thaw. | Twenty foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan this year and Nato fears that Taleban violence will escalate in several areas of the country as the winter snows thaw. |
Last Tuesday at least nine people were killed in a suicide bombing at the main US base in Afghanistan, Bagram near Kabul, during a visit by US Vice-President Dick Cheney. | Last Tuesday at least nine people were killed in a suicide bombing at the main US base in Afghanistan, Bagram near Kabul, during a visit by US Vice-President Dick Cheney. |