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UK soldier killed in Afghanistan Blast kills UK soldier in Helmand
(20 minutes later)
A soldier from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards has been killed during a major offensive in southern Afghanistan.A soldier from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards has been killed during a major offensive in southern Afghanistan.
He is the second British soldier to be killed while taking part in Operation Moshtarak against the Taliban.He is the second British soldier to be killed while taking part in Operation Moshtarak against the Taliban.
The soldier died following an explosion in the Babaji area of Nahr-e-Saraj, in central Helmand, on Thursday morning. Next of kin have been informed. The soldier was killed by an explosion in the Babaji area of Nahr-e-Saraj, in central Helmand, on Thursday morning. Next of kin have been informed.
His death brings the number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 262.His death brings the number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 262.
Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Wakefield, said the soldier, who was serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South), had been involved in an operation to clear insurgents from the Babaji area.Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Wakefield, said the soldier, who was serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South), had been involved in an operation to clear insurgents from the Babaji area.
This was so a checkpoint could be built and a road laid through the area.This was so a checkpoint could be built and a road laid through the area.
"He died in the course of his duty and among his comrades. His courage and sacrifice will be remembered," Lt Col Wakefield said."He died in the course of his duty and among his comrades. His courage and sacrifice will be remembered," Lt Col Wakefield said.
Operation Moshtarak is the biggest military offensive in Afghanistan since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001. Military push
Thousands of US, British and Afghan soldiers have embarked on a push to clear Taliban forces from Marjah and Nad Ali, in the southern province of Helmand. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest military offensive in Afghanistan since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001 and involves 4,000 British troops.
News of the death came on the day the bodies of five British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were flown to RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire. In total, more than 15,000 US, British and Afghan soldiers have embarked on a push to clear Taliban forces from Marjah and Nad Ali, in the southern province of Helmand.
Lance Sergeant David Greenhalgh, Lance Corporal Darren Hicks, Kingsman Sean Dawson, Rifleman Mark Marshall and Sapper Guy Mellors were killed in separate incidents in Helmand province earlier this month. The first British soldier involved in the offensive to be killed was Lance Sergeant Dave Greenhalgh.
The 25-year-old from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, who was serving with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died in an explosion while on vehicle patrol near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand, on Saturday.
News of the latest death came on the day the bodies of L/Sgt Greenhalgh and four other British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were flown to RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire.
The others were Lance Corporal Darren Hicks, Kingsman Sean Dawson, Rifleman Mark Marshall and Sapper Guy Mellors, who were killed in separate incidents in Helmand earlier this month.