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Four soldiers die in Afghanistan | Four soldiers die in Afghanistan |
(40 minutes later) | |
The UK remains committed to the Afghanistan operation | |
Four British soldiers have been killed in a road accident in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. | |
The soldiers, part of a police advisory team, were killed near Gereshk, Helmand province, on Wednesday evening. | The soldiers, part of a police advisory team, were killed near Gereshk, Helmand province, on Wednesday evening. |
They were travelling to help in an incident at a nearby checkpoint when they died. | They were travelling to help in an incident at a nearby checkpoint when they died. |
Lt Col James Carr-Smith, said: "They will be sorely missed and their actions will not be forgotten." Their next of kin have been informed. | Lt Col James Carr-Smith, said: "They will be sorely missed and their actions will not be forgotten." Their next of kin have been informed. |
Three soldiers were from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment and one soldier was from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, who was attached to 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment. | |
Their deaths mean the total number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 307. | Their deaths mean the total number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 307. |
'Absolutely committed' | |
The soldiers were travelling in a Ridgeback armoured vehicle which rolled off the road and ended up under water. | The soldiers were travelling in a Ridgeback armoured vehicle which rolled off the road and ended up under water. |
The Ministry of Defence said that enemy action was not thought to have been involved. | The Ministry of Defence said that enemy action was not thought to have been involved. |
BBC Defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said this has been the bloodiest week of action so far. | BBC Defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said this has been the bloodiest week of action so far. |
Eighteen soldiers have died this month, with nine of these deaths taking place in the past seven days. | Eighteen soldiers have died this month, with nine of these deaths taking place in the past seven days. |
On Wednesday, a marine from 40 Commando was shot dead by insurgents while conducting a security patrol in the Sangin district. The MoD also released the name of L/Cpl Michael Taylor, 30, from Rhyl, who served with the same regiment and was was fatally wounded in a shooting a day earlier. | |
Prime Minster David Cameron has said the UK remained "absolutely committed" to the UK's mission in Afghanistan despite the sacking of the US commander heading operations there. | Prime Minster David Cameron has said the UK remained "absolutely committed" to the UK's mission in Afghanistan despite the sacking of the US commander heading operations there. |
US President Barack Obama fired Gen Stanley McChrystal after he made critical comments about his administration in a magazine interview. | |
The UK has 9,000 troops in Afghanistan, with US and British troops conducting joint operations against the Taliban in Helmand Province. |