06/07/2009

Soldiers Killed In Anti-Taliban Offensives

Three more British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

The separate incidents happened during one of the biggest offensives launched against the Taliban by UK troops in Helmand province - Operation Panther's Claw.

A soldier from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards died in an explosion on Sunday, in an operation near Gereshk, central Helmand, after two troops were killed on Saturday.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, paid tribute to the as yet unnamed soldier.

He said: "He laid down his life for his country and for the good people of Afghanistan. We grieve for his loss and join with his family and friends to mourn his passing.

"He will always be remembered."

The news comes just after the deaths of two soldiers on Saturday in separate incidents. They were today named Lance Corporal David Dennis, of the Light Dragoons and Private Robert Laws, of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment.

Pte Robert Laws was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade, while L/Cpl David Dennis died from an explosion.

Meanwhile, the bodies of Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thornloe - the commanding officer of the Welsh guards - and Trooper Joshua Hammond of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment have arrived home in Britain today. A memorial is being held before the coffins pass through Wootton Bassett.

They were killed on Wednesday when their Viking armoured vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb. They had been taking part in the same operation.

See: Tributes For Two Soldiers Killed In Afghan Blast

(JM/BMcC)

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