18/08/2004

British soldier dies in Basrah clashes

A British soldier has been killed and a second injured during clashes with militants in the southern Iraqi city of Basrah last night.

The MoD has named the dead soldier as 29-year-old Lance Corporal Paul David Trevor Thomas, of the 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry.

He had been serving in southern Iraq attached to the 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment. Lance Corporal Thomas was single and came from Welshpool, Powys, in Wales.

His platoon commander, Lieutenant Follet, said Corporal Thomas was a "proud Welshman" and had been "an immensely popular member of the platoon".

He added: "His death has shocked the platoon, especially those soldiers who were with him when he died. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones at this time."

Lance Corporal Thomas was the 65th British soldier to die in Iraq since the start of hostilities last year. He was killed as coalition forces battled with militants loyal to the cleric Moqtada al Sadr.

The second soldier, who has not been named, is receiving treatment and is not thought to have sustained life-threatening injuries.

Violent clashes between militants and British troops in the south have intensified in recent days. PA has reported that coalition personnel came under fire from RPGs and machine-gun fire during last night's incident.

There have also been a number of attacks on civilian vehicles in and around Basrah. It has been reported that three vehicles carrying British citizens were damaged in a roadside bombing yesterday. There have been no reports of any injuries.

(gmcg)

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