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| Royal Marine and female soldier killed in Afghanistan | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two British soldiers died in what is believed to have been an exchange of gunfire with a member of the Afghan police while on patrol in Helmand. | Two British soldiers died in what is believed to have been an exchange of gunfire with a member of the Afghan police while on patrol in Helmand. |
| A Royal Marine, from 40 Commando, and a female soldier from 3 Medical Regiment, were in the Nahr-e Saraj district of the Afghan province when they were killed on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. Their families have been informed. | A Royal Marine, from 40 Commando, and a female soldier from 3 Medical Regiment, were in the Nahr-e Saraj district of the Afghan province when they were killed on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. Their families have been informed. |
| The female soldier is a 25-year-oldfrom Comber in County Down, Northern Ireland. | The female soldier is a 25-year-oldfrom Comber in County Down, Northern Ireland. |
| It is thought the incident was a "green-on-blue" attack, a term used when coalition troops are attacked by their supposed Afghan allies. | It is thought the incident was a "green-on-blue" attack, a term used when coalition troops are attacked by their supposed Afghan allies. |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "During a UK foot patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, there was an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the deaths of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando Royal Marines, a female soldier from 3 Medical Regiment and an Afghan man who is believed to be a member of the Afghan uniformed police but who was not wearing uniform at the time. The UK patrol were not working with any Afghan partners at the time. | A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "During a UK foot patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, there was an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the deaths of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando Royal Marines, a female soldier from 3 Medical Regiment and an Afghan man who is believed to be a member of the Afghan uniformed police but who was not wearing uniform at the time. The UK patrol were not working with any Afghan partners at the time. |
| "At this stage we do not know what initiated the exchange of gunfire and an investigation is ongoing. Further details will be provided as information becomes available but at this time the situation remains unclear." | "At this stage we do not know what initiated the exchange of gunfire and an investigation is ongoing. Further details will be provided as information becomes available but at this time the situation remains unclear." |
| A source said on Wednesday night it was understood that the Taliban had issued a statement in Afghanistan suggesting the incident was a green-on-blue attack. | A source said on Wednesday night it was understood that the Taliban had issued a statement in Afghanistan suggesting the incident was a green-on-blue attack. |
| But the source said the details of the incident were still unclear because the people who knew what had happened were not in a state to write down witness statements or explain what they saw. | But the source said the details of the incident were still unclear because the people who knew what had happened were not in a state to write down witness statements or explain what they saw. |
| Major Laurence Roche, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "I am extremely sorry to announce the deaths of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando and a soldier from 3 Medical Regiment serving with Task Force Helmand. | Major Laurence Roche, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "I am extremely sorry to announce the deaths of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando and a soldier from 3 Medical Regiment serving with Task Force Helmand. |
| "This is dreadful news for all of us serving in Afghanistan. Our sincere condolences go to their families, friends and colleagues at this time of grief." | "This is dreadful news for all of us serving in Afghanistan. Our sincere condolences go to their families, friends and colleagues at this time of grief." |
| The Ulster Unionist party leader, Mike Nesbitt, paid tribute to the soldier from Comber and expressed sympathy for her family. | The Ulster Unionist party leader, Mike Nesbitt, paid tribute to the soldier from Comber and expressed sympathy for her family. |
| Nesbitt said: "It was with great regret and much sadness that I learned last night of the tragic death of a young woman from Comber who died in the service of her country alongside a colleague from the Royal Marines in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. | Nesbitt said: "It was with great regret and much sadness that I learned last night of the tragic death of a young woman from Comber who died in the service of her country alongside a colleague from the Royal Marines in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. |
| "It is a reminder of the incredible bravery displayed by our armed forces as they risk their lives for our freedom. The debt we owe them is one that can never be repaid. | "It is a reminder of the incredible bravery displayed by our armed forces as they risk their lives for our freedom. The debt we owe them is one that can never be repaid. |
| "On behalf of my party, I would like to extend my deepest and sincerest sympathies to family, friends and colleagues of the fallen soldier." | "On behalf of my party, I would like to extend my deepest and sincerest sympathies to family, friends and colleagues of the fallen soldier." |
| Their deaths take the total number of UK service members to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 435. | Their deaths take the total number of UK service members to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 435. |