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14/08/2009
Co Down Troops Killed in Afghanistan
Two of the three British soldiers who died in an explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan yesterday were based in Northern Ireland.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the soldiers were killed in an explosion while on patrol near Sangin in Helmand Province on Thursday.
Two of the soldiers were from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, which is based at Ballykinler, Co Down, while the third was from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery.
Their families have been informed.
These latest deaths bring the total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since operations began to just one short of 200 fatalities.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "Today has been incredibly sad for the whole of Task Force Helmand, and particularly for The Rifles battlegroup, with whom all three soldiers were serving.
"We will all feel the loss of these brave soldiers, but it is their family, friends and loved ones, as well as the men and women who served alongside them, who feel the greatest pain and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers."
Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said: "The loss of these brave men, and all of those who have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002, is a tragedy.
"It brings us very close to the sad milestone of 200 fatalities in this conflict. We cannot help but reflect on the toll the mission has taken on our people and their families and friends.
"But we must also keep in the forefront of our minds how important it is to the security of this country and its citizens.
"So many young men and women have been injured or given their lives to ensure that Afghanistan does not fall back into the hands of the extremists and the terrorists who seek to threaten us and our interests. We must succeed. And we will."
(KMcA/BMcC)
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the soldiers were killed in an explosion while on patrol near Sangin in Helmand Province on Thursday.
Two of the soldiers were from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, which is based at Ballykinler, Co Down, while the third was from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery.
Their families have been informed.
These latest deaths bring the total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since operations began to just one short of 200 fatalities.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "Today has been incredibly sad for the whole of Task Force Helmand, and particularly for The Rifles battlegroup, with whom all three soldiers were serving.
"We will all feel the loss of these brave soldiers, but it is their family, friends and loved ones, as well as the men and women who served alongside them, who feel the greatest pain and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers."
Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said: "The loss of these brave men, and all of those who have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002, is a tragedy.
"It brings us very close to the sad milestone of 200 fatalities in this conflict. We cannot help but reflect on the toll the mission has taken on our people and their families and friends.
"But we must also keep in the forefront of our minds how important it is to the security of this country and its citizens.
"So many young men and women have been injured or given their lives to ensure that Afghanistan does not fall back into the hands of the extremists and the terrorists who seek to threaten us and our interests. We must succeed. And we will."
(KMcA/BMcC)
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21 August 2009
NI-Based Trooper Dies In Afghanistan
It has emerged that one of the two soldiers killed by an explosion in Afghanistan yesterday was from a Co Down-based regiment. The soldier - based in Ballykinler - and a colleague from another regiment were killed while on a routine foot patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province, on Thursday. Their families have been informed.
NI-Based Trooper Dies In Afghanistan
It has emerged that one of the two soldiers killed by an explosion in Afghanistan yesterday was from a Co Down-based regiment. The soldier - based in Ballykinler - and a colleague from another regiment were killed while on a routine foot patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province, on Thursday. Their families have been informed.
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Two Soldiers Die In Afghan Blast
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26 November 2008
Honour For Irish Serviceman Killed In Afghanistan
The Irishman killed serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan is to be remembered on an engraved Peace Park 'wall' in Co Mayo.
Honour For Irish Serviceman Killed In Afghanistan
The Irishman killed serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan is to be remembered on an engraved Peace Park 'wall' in Co Mayo.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
