Taliban militants kill UK soldier
The war in Afghanistan has claimed two more British servicemen's lives
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Monday, 18, Aug 2008 04:07
A British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan after his patrol was attacked by suspected Taliban militants.
The death, the 116th to hit the UK army since the US-led invasion of 2001, was announced by Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).
"It is with great sorrow that we must announce this brave soldier's death as we offer our sympathies to this soldier's loved ones," said Isaf spokesperson Brigadier General Richard Blanchette.
"We have the utmost respect and admiration for the Isaf troops who operate in this challenging environment."
The Ministry of Defence (Mod) said the soldier was from the Second Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland but had been attached to the First Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment.
He had been patrolling with the Afghan army by forward operating base Attal in Gereshk, Helmand province, when an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated at about 08:25 local time (04:55 BST).
Another Isaf soldier, an Afghan army soldier and an interpreter were injured in the blast.
"Everyone in Task Force Helmand is affected by the death of a soldier, and the thoughts and sympathies of us all are with the family at this most difficult time," commented Taskforce Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Reynolds.