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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Two UK soldiers killed in Helmand | Two UK soldiers killed in Helmand |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Two UK soldiers have been killed taking part in a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | Two UK soldiers have been killed taking part in a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The first, from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died in an explosion in the Babaji area of Helmand province. | The first, from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died in an explosion in the Babaji area of Helmand province. |
| The second, from 1st Battalion Scots Guards, was shot fighting rebels in the Nad Ali area of the province. | |
| Three Britons have died on Operation Moshtarak, and a total of 263 military personnel in Afghanistan since 2001. | Three Britons have died on Operation Moshtarak, and a total of 263 military personnel in Afghanistan since 2001. |
| The next of kin of both soldiers have been informed. | The next of kin of both soldiers have been informed. |
| Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Wakefield, said the first 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 first 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. |
| Military push | Military push |
| He said the soldier from 1st Battalion Scots Guards, part of the 1 Grenadier Guards Battle Group, was shot fighting insurgents on Thursday afternoon. | He said the soldier from 1st Battalion Scots Guards, part of the 1 Grenadier Guards Battle Group, was shot fighting insurgents on Thursday afternoon. |
| "He died a soldier taking the fight to insurgents. He'll be sorely missed but he will not be forgotten," he said. | "He died a soldier taking the fight to insurgents. He'll be sorely missed but he will not be forgotten," he said. |
| Operation Moshtarak is the biggest military offensive in Afghanistan since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001 and involves 4,000 British troops. | Operation Moshtarak is the biggest military offensive in Afghanistan since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001 and involves 4,000 British troops. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The first British soldier involved in the offensive to be killed was Lance Sergeant Dave Greenhalgh. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |