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://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12460051
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UK soldier killed in Afghanistan blast | UK soldier killed in Afghanistan blast |
(40 minutes later) | |
A soldier from 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | |
The MoD said he was killed by an improvised explosive device on Monday while on an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. | The MoD said he was killed by an improvised explosive device on Monday while on an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. |
The soldier's next of kin have been informed. | The soldier's next of kin have been informed. |
Earlier, the MoD announced that two British soldiers had died in a fire at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. | Earlier, the MoD announced that two British soldiers had died in a fire at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. |
'Senseless inhumanity' | 'Senseless inhumanity' |
The latest death to be announced brings the total number of UK fatalities since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 to 357. | The latest death to be announced brings the total number of UK fatalities since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 to 357. |
Lt Col David Eastman, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said the soldier, who was based in Colchester, in Essex, was on a patrol aimed at reassuring the local population when he was killed. | |
"Sadly the insurgents have resorted to planting explosives that target innocent civilians and soldiers indiscriminately, without care for the impact that they have or the destruction they cause," he said. | "Sadly the insurgents have resorted to planting explosives that target innocent civilians and soldiers indiscriminately, without care for the impact that they have or the destruction they cause," he said. |
"The soldier gave his life trying to defend against such senseless inhumanity. | "The soldier gave his life trying to defend against such senseless inhumanity. |
"His courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we offer heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. We will remember him." | "His courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we offer heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. We will remember him." |
The MoD said earlier that two soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps had died in a "domestic" fire at Camp Bastion. | The MoD said earlier that two soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps had died in a "domestic" fire at Camp Bastion. |
An investigation is now under way into what happened, but the fire is not thought to have been the result of enemy action. | An investigation is now under way into what happened, but the fire is not thought to have been the result of enemy action. |
Momentum 'shifting' | |
Wing Cdr Martin Tinworth, spokesman for Camp Bastion, said: "Both soldiers were involved in vital support work for the UK forces who continue to bring hope and stability across Afghanistan." | |
The deaths came after the head of UK forces in Helmand said momentum in Helmand was "shifting". | |
Brigadier James Chiswell told the BBC: "There's certainly a sense over this winter period that the insurgency is under a lot of pressure, but perhaps more importantly there's certainly a sense of growing local confidence to shake off the insurgency, and indeed to put their trust in the state." | |
But he said it was too early to judge how successful the past few months had been until fighting during the summer had taken place | |
Defence Secretary Liam Fox also warned that casualty numbers were "likely to rise" in the spring as insurgent activity increased. |
Previous version
1
Next version