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| Two UK soldiers killed in Helmand | Two UK soldiers killed in Helmand |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | Two British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The pair, from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were on patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province. | The pair, from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were on patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province. |
| The MoD said their families had been told following the incident on Sunday. | The MoD said their families had been told following the incident on Sunday. |
| A total of 255 UK personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001 - the same number as were killed during the 1982 Falklands War. | A total of 255 UK personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001 - the same number as were killed during the 1982 Falklands War. |
| Lt Col David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "They were on a foot patrol bringing security to local people near Patrol Base Wishtan when the explosion caught them. | Lt Col David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "They were on a foot patrol bringing security to local people near Patrol Base Wishtan when the explosion caught them. |
| "Two of our comrades have been cruelly taken from us, but their bravery and fortitude will not be forgotten." | "Two of our comrades have been cruelly taken from us, but their bravery and fortitude will not be forgotten." |
| The MoD said the soldiers were not involved in Operation Moshtarak, a major Nato-led offensive against the Taliban which is due to get under way shortly. | |
| It is expected to be one of the largest counter-insurgency operations since the Afghan conflict began in 2001 and aims to clear fighters from the southern Helmand town of Marja. | |
| Military leaders say they will have the choice between laying down their weapons or facing "overwhelming force" from thousands of UK, US and Afghan troops. | |
| But Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth warned on Sunday that British casualties were a "very real risk" during the operation. |