This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/10610068.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Three British soldiers have been killed by an Afghan soldier in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. | |
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the incident was believed to have been deliberate. | |
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has apologised to the UK after the incident which took place in the Nahr-e Saraj district on Tuesday. | |
An investigation is under way and no further details have been released - next of kin are being informed. | An investigation is under way and no further details have been released - next of kin are being informed. |
There is a helpline number in the UK for concerned relatives - 08457 800900. | There is a helpline number in the UK for concerned relatives - 08457 800900. |
It is understood there will not be any confirmation of the circumstances surrounding the incident until the next of kin are informed. | |
An Afghan defence ministry spokesman said the attack was carried out with a rocket-propelled grenade, and that four other British soldiers were also injured in the attack. | |
He said an Afghan soldier was being sought following the incident. | |
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt said it is understood that at least two are UK nationals. | |
Exit strategy | |
The news emerged at a press conference given by the Afghan president Hamid Karzai. | The news emerged at a press conference given by the Afghan president Hamid Karzai. |
The incident will re-awaken memories of last November, when an Afghan policeman shot dead five British soldiers in their compound, and seriously wounded six others, our correspondent added. | |
She also said this latest tragedy will again intensify debate over the human costs of the mission in Afghanistan - and over whether the West's exit strategy, which relies on training the Afghan Army and police, can hope to succeed. | |
Downing Street said Prime Minister David Cameron was being kept informed about the incident. | |
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville, who is in Kabul, said similar incidents have happened in the past but it is not always insurgents who are behind it. | |
He said that sometimes local matters and other grievances can be behind it. | |
The Nato commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus said: "This is a combined joint mission - Afghan and Alliance troopers fighting shoulder to shoulder against the Taliban and other extremists. | |
"We have sacrificed greatly together and we must ensure the trust between our forces remains solid in order to defeat our common enemies." | |
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident this morning in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province involving Isaf troops. | |
"An investigation is under way and more details will be released when appropriate." |