Menu
31/10/2011
PM Expresses Sadness Over Afghan Attacks
The Prime Minister has expressed his “sadness” at the deaths of Australian, US and Canadian personnel in Afghanistan.
On Friday, Australians Corporal Ashley Birt, 22, Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, 27, and Captain Bryce Duffy, 26, were shot dead by an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier who opened fire after a routine weekly parade on Saturday morning in the southern province of Kandahar.
Another seven Australian soldiers were wounded, one with life-threatening injuries, and an Afghan interpreter also lost his life.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, a Taliban suicide bomber rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into an armoured NATO bus on Saturday on a busy thoroughfare in Kabul, killing 17 people, including a dozen Americans.
David Cameron said of the attacks: “I have spoken to Prime Minister Gillard and sent a message to President Obama and Prime Minister Harper to express my sadness and revulsion at the deaths of a number of Australian, US and Canadian service and civilian personnel in Afghanistan yesterday.
"The wounded and the families and friends of all those involved, including Afghan civilians, are in our thoughts.
Mr Cameron added that high casualty attacks like these were a "deliberate tactic" to distract Afghans and the international community alike from work underway that threatens the extremists.
"Britain and its allies will remain resolute in seeing through the job of building up Afghan forces, delivering security and finding a path to a stable, constitutional and inclusive political future. This is the best way to honour the sacrifice of those who died yesterday.”
A spokesman for the fundamentalist Islamic movement, which was ousted in the 2001 invasion for its affiliation with al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the Kabul attack, saying the bomber had used 1,540 pounds (700 kilograms) of explosives.
(DW)
On Friday, Australians Corporal Ashley Birt, 22, Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, 27, and Captain Bryce Duffy, 26, were shot dead by an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier who opened fire after a routine weekly parade on Saturday morning in the southern province of Kandahar.
Another seven Australian soldiers were wounded, one with life-threatening injuries, and an Afghan interpreter also lost his life.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, a Taliban suicide bomber rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into an armoured NATO bus on Saturday on a busy thoroughfare in Kabul, killing 17 people, including a dozen Americans.
David Cameron said of the attacks: “I have spoken to Prime Minister Gillard and sent a message to President Obama and Prime Minister Harper to express my sadness and revulsion at the deaths of a number of Australian, US and Canadian service and civilian personnel in Afghanistan yesterday.
"The wounded and the families and friends of all those involved, including Afghan civilians, are in our thoughts.
Mr Cameron added that high casualty attacks like these were a "deliberate tactic" to distract Afghans and the international community alike from work underway that threatens the extremists.
"Britain and its allies will remain resolute in seeing through the job of building up Afghan forces, delivering security and finding a path to a stable, constitutional and inclusive political future. This is the best way to honour the sacrifice of those who died yesterday.”
A spokesman for the fundamentalist Islamic movement, which was ousted in the 2001 invasion for its affiliation with al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the Kabul attack, saying the bomber had used 1,540 pounds (700 kilograms) of explosives.
(DW)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 November 2009
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
20 July 2010
Afganistan Victims' Bodies Flown Home
The bodies of four British servicemen killed by a rogue Afghan soldier have been repatriated today. Major James Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, all of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were killed at their base in Helmand Province on Monday last week.
Afganistan Victims' Bodies Flown Home
The bodies of four British servicemen killed by a rogue Afghan soldier have been repatriated today. Major James Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, all of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were killed at their base in Helmand Province on Monday last week.
24 June 2010
Road Crash Kills Four In Afghanistan
There was further tragedy for British forces this week as four soldiers have been killed in a road accident in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the soldiers, part of a police advisory team, were killed near Gereshk, Helmand province, on Wednesday evening.
Road Crash Kills Four In Afghanistan
There was further tragedy for British forces this week as four soldiers have been killed in a road accident in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the soldiers, part of a police advisory team, were killed near Gereshk, Helmand province, on Wednesday evening.
05 November 2009
Soldier Dies As Five Victims Mourned
As news emerged that a British soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles had been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan today, a possible Taliban link to the death of five soldiers shot dead by an Afghan police officer last Tuesday has yet to be confirmed.
Soldier Dies As Five Victims Mourned
As news emerged that a British soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles had been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan today, a possible Taliban link to the death of five soldiers shot dead by an Afghan police officer last Tuesday has yet to be confirmed.
11 August 2003
Nato troops to back up UN mission to Afghanistan
In its first operation outside of the Euro-Atlantic area, Nato is set to provide "top-level support" to the UN peacekeeping force deployed in and around the Afghan capital, Kabul. Nato's new role includes giving political and military direction to the UN's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Nato troops to back up UN mission to Afghanistan
In its first operation outside of the Euro-Atlantic area, Nato is set to provide "top-level support" to the UN peacekeeping force deployed in and around the Afghan capital, Kabul. Nato's new role includes giving political and military direction to the UN's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
