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Two British soldiers die in Iraq Two British soldiers die in Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
Two British soldiers have been killed in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said.Two British soldiers have been killed in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said.
The soldiers died - and another two were seriously injured - when an "improvised explosive device" detonated next to their patrol. The soldiers died when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated next to their patrol west of Basra, southern Iraq, just after midnight on Thursday.
The soldiers, from 1st Battalion the Irish Guards, were travelling in a convoy to the west of Basra, southern Iraq, on Thursday morning. The next of kin of the two dead soldiers, who were from 1st Battalion the Irish Guards, have been informed.
The latest deaths brings the total number of UK personnel killed while in Iraq to 168. A serviceman killed separately in Iraq on Tuesday has been named as Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard, of No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment.
The soldiers were attacked to the north of the Rumaylah oil fields, to the west of Basra. Their families have been informed. The latest deaths bring the total number of UK personnel killed while in Iraq to 168.
The soldiers were attacked to the north of the Rumaylah oil fields. Another two soldiers were seriously injured in the incident.
British forces have suffered four fatalities in Iraq so far this week.
'Exceptionally gifted'
LAC Beard, 20, was taking part in a routine foot patrol in the Al Waki district north of the British base at Basra air station.
He sustained a gunshot wound when the patrol came under attack as it moved through Al Waki market, and was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital.
LAC Beard, of Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, leaves a family and fiancee.
His commanding officer, Sqn Ldr Jason Sutton, said: "Strong, fit and an exceptionally gifted infantryman, he had such a bright future and had already set his sights on selection for special forces.
"I have no doubt whatsoever he would have succeeded in that as he did in all else.
"He was due to marry upon his return from Iraq and we all feel so deeply for his fiancee, Nic."
Defence Secretary Des Browne expressed his condolences to LAC Beard's family, friends and colleagues.
Mr Browne said: "Leading Aircraftman Beard was a very popular and highly promising young man who was a credit to the Royal Air Force Regiment."