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Princess visits UK Afghan troops | Princess visits UK Afghan troops |
(20 minutes later) | |
The Princess Royal has made a surprise visit to British troops in Afghanistan, Buckingham Palace has said. | The Princess Royal has made a surprise visit to British troops in Afghanistan, Buckingham Palace has said. |
Princess Anne, who holds a range of honorary ranks with various regiments, spent time in the forces' main base Camp Bastion on Monday. | Princess Anne, who holds a range of honorary ranks with various regiments, spent time in the forces' main base Camp Bastion on Monday. |
She met soldiers from a number of units including military dog handlers. | She met soldiers from a number of units including military dog handlers. |
Earlier, a soldier from A Company 4 Rifles was shot dead while on foot patrol near Sangin, Helmand. His family have been told. | Earlier, a soldier from A Company 4 Rifles was shot dead while on foot patrol near Sangin, Helmand. His family have been told. |
His death brings the number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 267. | His death brings the number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 267. |
The princess visited the Theatre Military Working Dogs Support Unit in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. | The princess visited the Theatre Military Working Dogs Support Unit in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. |
He died doing his duty, boldly confronting the enemy; we will remember him Lt Col David Wakefield UK soldier killed in Afghanistan | |
Handler Cpl Edward Kingsland said the importance of the visit could not be underestimated. | Handler Cpl Edward Kingsland said the importance of the visit could not be underestimated. |
"The Princess Royal has taken a real interest in our work and experiences. | "The Princess Royal has taken a real interest in our work and experiences. |
"I am personally delighted that the dog unit is getting the recognition it deserves. It will be the same for all of those units who don't necessarily make it into the headlines." | "I am personally delighted that the dog unit is getting the recognition it deserves. It will be the same for all of those units who don't necessarily make it into the headlines." |
Princess Anne holds the same rank with the Royal Logistic Corps, and so visited its Close Support Logistic Regiment. | Princess Anne holds the same rank with the Royal Logistic Corps, and so visited its Close Support Logistic Regiment. |
She then spoke to soldiers of the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment, 9 Regimental Royal Logistic Corps, the Household Cavalry Regiment and 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital at Camp Bastion. | She then spoke to soldiers of the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment, 9 Regimental Royal Logistic Corps, the Household Cavalry Regiment and 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital at Camp Bastion. |
The camp is situated northwest of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. | |
Later, the princess visited neighbouring Kandahar province to see the Joint Force Communication and Information Systems Head Quarters and speak to members of the RAF Lyneham Detachment. | Later, the princess visited neighbouring Kandahar province to see the Joint Force Communication and Information Systems Head Quarters and speak to members of the RAF Lyneham Detachment. |
She also met soldiers at the Canadian Forces Compound. | She also met soldiers at the Canadian Forces Compound. |
The princess's last visit to Afghanistan was in October 2006. | The princess's last visit to Afghanistan was in October 2006. |
'We will remember him' | |
The soldier from A Company 4 Rifles has not yet been named. | |
Lt Col David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "The patrol he was on was part of ongoing operations by the 3 Rifles Battle Group to expand the area of security around the district centre, when he was shot and killed by small arms fire. | |
"He died doing his duty, boldly confronting the enemy; we will remember him." | |
The MoD says his death was not connected to Operation Moshtarak, the Nato offensive in southern Afghanistan. | |
In this operation, thousands of US, British and Afghan soldiers are pushing to clear Taliban forces from Marjah and Nad Ali, in the southern province of Helmand. | |
British troops have been in Afghanistan since 2001. |