Tributes paid to British troops' 'sacrifice' in Afghanistan
Tributes have been paid to British troops serving in Afghanistan
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Monday, 09, Jun 2008 04:27
With the news that the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 has reached 100, tributes have been paid today to those serving in the country.
The governor of Helmand Province Gulab Mangal released a statement on Monday claiming: "Sadly I have been informed today that the number of casualties of British troops serving in Afghanistan has reached 100.
"I fully understand that the hearts of every British family is beating for their loss. And I can assure you that the hearts of every single Afghan, who does understand the sacrifice of the British, is beating for the loss of the British soldiers.
"I, as the governor of Helmand, thank and appreciate those soldiers who are serving in Afghanistan and who are making a tremendous amount of effort towards the prosperity and security of Afghanistan and I appreciate their work," he added.
Mr Mangal expressed his sympathy to the families of the British soldiers killed and said the people of Afghanistan "will never forget the sacrifices and the friendly efforts the British troops have been making".
The governor added that the presence of the British troops was vital in fighting terrorism and reconstructing the country.
"The people of Afghanistan are witnessing the British soldiers working hard day and night, making tremendous amounts of efforts towards building the roads, hospitals, schools and various public services for the people of Afghanistan and the people are witnessing that they are shedding their blood, losing their lives for the pride of the Afghan people," he concluded.
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, brigade commander of Task Force Helmand, said that the latest deaths and the recent milestone would not affect the British mission in Afghanistan.
"It's an unwanted milestone and it's a tragic reminder of the human price that we're paying. But I think we need to set it in the perspective of what we're seeking to achieve here," he said.
"We want to leave Afghanistan for the Afghans in a country that's better governed, more secure, more peaceful and crucially no longer represents a threat to the international community. And I think that's a really significant prize."