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Gunman shoots dead two UK troops in Afghanistan Gunman shoots dead two UK troops in Afghanistan
(40 minutes later)
Two British service personnel have been killed by a gunman wearing an Afghan army uniform, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said. A British soldier and Royal Marine have been shot dead by an Afghan army soldier, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
One was from the Royal Marines and the other was from the Adjutant General's Corps (Staff & Personnel Support). Their families have been told. The shootings, which injured a third UK serviceman, took place at the British military HQ in Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.
The shootings took place at the British military HQ in Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. The soldier was from the Adjutant General's Corps (Staff & Personnel Support). Next of kin have been told.
Nato said the attacker was then shot dead by its soldiers.Nato said the attacker was then shot dead by its soldiers.
'Assailant killed''Assailant killed'
A total of 407 British troops have been killed in Afghanistan since military operations began in 2001.A total of 407 British troops have been killed in Afghanistan since military operations began in 2001.
In a statement to the Commons, Mr Hammond said: "Our thoughts, as ever, are with their families, for whom this will be a deeply personal tragedy. Announcing the deaths in a statement to the Commons, Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond said: "Our thoughts, as ever, are with their families, for whom this will be a deeply personal tragedy.
"Details of the incident are still emerging but it appears that a member of the Afghan National Army opened fire at the entrance gate to the British headquarters in Lashkar Gar city, killing the two British service personnel."Details of the incident are still emerging but it appears that a member of the Afghan National Army opened fire at the entrance gate to the British headquarters in Lashkar Gar city, killing the two British service personnel.
"The assailant was killed by return fire.""The assailant was killed by return fire."
No doubt that Britain and NATO's leadership will want to reaffirm that after this latest incident there will not be a change in policy.
But a recent classified coalition report, obtained by the New York Times, found that between May 2007 and May 2011 at least 58 western service personnel were killed by Afghan Soldiers and police in 26 separate attacks.
The report stated that "lethal altercations are clearly not rare or isolated; they reflect a rapidly growing homicide threat".
Could this impact the timetable for withdrawal? When four French soldiers were killed by an Afghan soldier in January, President Sarkozy temporarily suspended his nations military training mission.
He has also now brought forward the date when French combat soldiers will leave the country - from 2014 to 2013.
Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said the victims were in the "thoughts of all of us".Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said the victims were in the "thoughts of all of us".
Mr Hammond made the announcement during a regular session of defence questions. Spokesman for the UK's Task Force Helmand, Maj Ian Lawrence, said: "The thoughts and condolences of everyone serving in the Task Force are with their families and friends."
Spokesman for the UK's Task Force Helmand, Maj Ian Lawrence, said: "Sadly, I must report that a Royal Marine and a soldier from the Adjutant General's Corps were shot and killed by an Afghan Army soldier at the main entrance to Lashkar Gah Main Operating Base."
"The thoughts and condolences of everyone serving in the Task Force are with their families and friends."
'Opened fire'
Earlier a spokesman for the governor of Helmand said the shooting followed a "verbal clash" between Afghan and Nato soldiers, and the Afghan involved was from Kunar province.Earlier a spokesman for the governor of Helmand said the shooting followed a "verbal clash" between Afghan and Nato soldiers, and the Afghan involved was from Kunar province.
Lt Col Jimmie Cummings, spokesman for Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Kabul, told the BBC: "An individual wearing an Afghan national army uniform turned his weapon against Isaf force service members in southern Afghanistan today, killing two of our service members.Lt Col Jimmie Cummings, spokesman for Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Kabul, told the BBC: "An individual wearing an Afghan national army uniform turned his weapon against Isaf force service members in southern Afghanistan today, killing two of our service members.
"The individual who opened fire was killed when coalition forces returned fire, and right now a joint Afghan and Isaf team are investigating this.""The individual who opened fire was killed when coalition forces returned fire, and right now a joint Afghan and Isaf team are investigating this."
The Taliban have claimed that the gunman was "their man".The Taliban have claimed that the gunman was "their man".
The attack appears to be the latest in a number of "green on blue" incidents - where members of the Afghan security forces turn their weapons on their international colleagues or trainers.The attack appears to be the latest in a number of "green on blue" incidents - where members of the Afghan security forces turn their weapons on their international colleagues or trainers.
The number of these incidents has risen since the inadvertent burning of Korans at a US base in February.The number of these incidents has risen since the inadvertent burning of Korans at a US base in February.
Tensions were inflamed further by the killing of 17 Afghan civilians earlier this month.Tensions were inflamed further by the killing of 17 Afghan civilians earlier this month.
US Staff Sgt Robert Bales, 38, has been charged with killing nine Afghan children and eight adults in their homes in Kandahar province on 11 March.US Staff Sgt Robert Bales, 38, has been charged with killing nine Afghan children and eight adults in their homes in Kandahar province on 11 March.