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British soldier killed in action in Afghanistan British soldier killed in action in Afghanistan
(about 3 hours later)
A soldier from the Royal Engineers was killed in action in Afghanistan on Monday, the Ministry of Defence has said.A soldier from the Royal Engineers was killed in action in Afghanistan on Monday, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The serviceman was shot by enemy fire while on operations east of Kabul.The serviceman was shot by enemy fire while on operations east of Kabul.
His next of kin have been informed and have requested the customary period of grace before further details are released, said a spokesman. His next of kin have been informed and have requested the customary period of grace before further details are released, a spokesman said.
The serviceman is the 447th British soldier to have been killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001, and is the ninth this year.The serviceman is the 447th British soldier to have been killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001, and is the ninth this year.
The majority of British forces are in Helmand province, in the south of the country, but some also operate elsewhere, including in and around the capital, Kabul. The majority of British forces are in Helmand province, in the south of the country, but some operate elsewhere, including in and around the capital, Kabul.
The departure of British troops is under way, and all combat troops are due to have left by the end of 2014. The departure of British troops is under way, with all combat troops due to have left by the end of 2014.
There are just four bases remaining outside Camp Bastion in Helmand, which are due to be closed down one by one in the new year, with the number of personnel to be reduced from 9,000 at the start of the year to around 5,200. There are just four bases left outside Camp Bastion in Helmand that are due to be closed down one by one in the new year, with the number of personnel to be reduced from 9,000 at the start of the year to about 5,200.
During a pre-Christmas visit to Camp Bastion last week, David Cameron said Britain had accomplished its mission in Afghanistan.During a pre-Christmas visit to Camp Bastion last week, David Cameron said Britain had accomplished its mission in Afghanistan.
"To me, the absolute driving part of the mission is a basic level of security so it doesn't become a haven for terror. That is the mission, that was the mission, and I think we will have accomplished that mission and so our troops can be very proud of what they have done," he said."To me, the absolute driving part of the mission is a basic level of security so it doesn't become a haven for terror. That is the mission, that was the mission, and I think we will have accomplished that mission and so our troops can be very proud of what they have done," he said.
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