Dead Nato soldiers were British
UK soldiers in Afghanistan operate under Nato
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Sunday, 04, Mar 2007 08:05
The two Nato soldiers who died in Afghanistan yesterday have been confirmed as British by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
A statement released today confirmed that the soldiers, both from the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, died after coming under attack from Taliban rockets in Sangin, Helmand.
Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Taskforce in Afghanistan, said the loss of two men in a single incident was a "deeply saddening blow".
"It will be particularly badly felt by all those back home and I would like to sincerely convey my thoughts and condolences to the men's families and friends at this very difficult time," he went on to say.
"Our prayers are with them."
In a separate incident, at least 16 civilians have been killed after US troops opened fire on them in the wake of a suicide bombing in the east of the volatile south Asian country.
The Pentagon, which has troops operating separately from Nato's mission in Jalalabad, said the civilian deaths came about after a "complex" Taliban attack upon a military convoy.
Troops reportedly opened fire when their vehicles were targeted by a suicide bomber.
Hundreds of people have gathered at the scene of the fatal shootings in protest over the civilian deaths.
Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) is currently lobbying for more troop commitments from its members ahead of an expected Taliban spring offensive.