Ten UK soldiers killed in nine days
Ten UK soldiers killed in nine days
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Friday, 10, Jul 2009 06:13
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed a British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan today.
The death means ten UK soldiers have now died in just nine days.
The soldier from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment was killed as a result of an explosion near Nad-e-Ali, central Helmand province, on Friday morning.
Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: "The loss of this brave Tankie has hit us all deeply; we grieve for him at this very sad time.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues who feel the greatest loss. His loss has not been in vain."
The soldier's next of kin have been informed, the MoD confirmed.
Earlier in the day, it was announced two British soldiers were killed in Helmand Province in two separate incidents.
In the first, a soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in a contact explosion while out on a foot patrol near Nad Ali.
In the second incident, a soldier, from Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was killed as a result of a gunshot wound.
The incident took place as part of Operation Panchai Palang (Panthers Claw) in an engagement with insurgent forces, near Lashkar Gah.
Paying tribute, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: "These fine British soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice and their memory will live with us forever.
"We mourn their loss and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this very sad time. We know that their deaths were not in vain."
The soldiers' next of kin have been informed.
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 179.