15/06/2010

Grim Afghanistan Total Rises Again

The tragic total of UK service deaths is now edging toward 300 with news just in that two British soldiers have been shot dead in separate incidents in Afghanistan.

The killings bring the number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 298.

The soldiers, both from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died in the Nad Ali district of Helmand Province on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Defence said they were on security patrol when they came under fire. Next of kin have been informed.

Their deaths follow that of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando who died of conflict injuries in a UK hospital just hours earlier.

The soldier was hit in a gun battle in Sangin on Sunday.

(BMcC)


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