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Dead bomb disposal expert named Dead bomb disposal expert named
(10 minutes later)
A British bomb disposal expert killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Warrant Officer class 2 David Markland.A British bomb disposal expert killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Warrant Officer class 2 David Markland.
WO2 Markland, from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the Counter-IED Task Force, died after the blast in the Nad Ali district, Helmand, on Monday.WO2 Markland, from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the Counter-IED Task Force, died after the blast in the Nad Ali district, Helmand, on Monday.
He was leading a team clearing routes of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The soldier, originally of Euxton, Lancs, had been leading a team clearing routes of improvised explosive devices.
A total of 256 British personnel have died in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001. A total of 256 British personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
It means more British service personnel have now died in this conflict than were killed during the 1982 Falklands War.
The Ministry of Defence said WO2 Markland had been a "talismanic figure".
The married father-of-two had been in the Army for 20 years and was on his eighth operational tour.
His death came ahead of a major Nato-led offensive against the Taliban in Nad-e-Ali, called Operation Moshtarak.
In a statement, his family said: "Dave was a wonderful husband, father, son and brother. His family and friends all loved and adored him.
"Keelen and Logan will always remember how funny and playful Dad was. He was proud to be in the British army just like his dad.
"We are very proud of Dave's achievements in his Army career. His soldiers, friends and officers all respected his selflessness and admired his style of leadership."