- Reaction score
- 64
- Points
- 530
My condolences to the families and comrades of these fallen soldiers. 
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1318437,00.html
Brit Military Toll In Afghanistan Hits 100
Updated:00:01, Monday June 09, 2008
The number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 has reached 100, following the deaths of three soldiers.
The Ministry of Defence said the trio died following a suicide attack on a routine patrol in the southern Helmand province.
Next of kin have been informed of the deaths.
The soldiers, part of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, were on a foot patrol near their base in the Upper Sangin Valley in Helmand when they were approached by a suicide bomber.
A medical emergency team was dispatched in a Chinook helicopter from Camp Bastion.
One soldier was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others died later of wounds sustained in the attack.
A fourth soldier is receiving treatment in the hospital at Camp Bastion.
Sky News correspondent Geoff Meade, who is in Afghanistan, said it was a very sad milestone.
"It is a grave blow to British troops here. It will have damaged morale," he said.
"But I sense no feeling at this stage that it has dampened the resolve to continue with the operation, despite the cost.
"The fact they were on foot patrol, that they were approached by the suicide bomber will make it difficult for them to continue the operation."
Sky News foreign editor Tim Marshall said it was an "artificial" figure of sorts.
"It is symbolic of something," he said. "It's into triple figures, for the British forces in Afghanistan, in a way, it is an artificial figure.
"Seventy-four have been killed in action now. The rest were killed in road accidents, illnesses.
"The 100 does not take into account people wounded in action. They were flown back to the UK and then subsequently died.
"It is an artificial figure. In a very sombre sense, it informs the debate."
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, commander of Task Force Helmand, said the 100th death was an "unwanted milestone" and a "tragic reminder of the human price" British forces are paying.
But he went on: "We need to set it in the perspective of what we are seeking to achieve here.
"We want to leave Afghanistan for the Afghans in a country that is better-governed, more secure, more peaceful, and crucially no longer represents a threat to the international community.
"I think that is a really significant prize."
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1318437,00.html
Brit Military Toll In Afghanistan Hits 100
Updated:00:01, Monday June 09, 2008
The number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 has reached 100, following the deaths of three soldiers.
The Ministry of Defence said the trio died following a suicide attack on a routine patrol in the southern Helmand province.
Next of kin have been informed of the deaths.
The soldiers, part of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, were on a foot patrol near their base in the Upper Sangin Valley in Helmand when they were approached by a suicide bomber.
A medical emergency team was dispatched in a Chinook helicopter from Camp Bastion.
One soldier was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others died later of wounds sustained in the attack.
A fourth soldier is receiving treatment in the hospital at Camp Bastion.
Sky News correspondent Geoff Meade, who is in Afghanistan, said it was a very sad milestone.
"It is a grave blow to British troops here. It will have damaged morale," he said.
"But I sense no feeling at this stage that it has dampened the resolve to continue with the operation, despite the cost.
"The fact they were on foot patrol, that they were approached by the suicide bomber will make it difficult for them to continue the operation."
Sky News foreign editor Tim Marshall said it was an "artificial" figure of sorts.
"It is symbolic of something," he said. "It's into triple figures, for the British forces in Afghanistan, in a way, it is an artificial figure.
"Seventy-four have been killed in action now. The rest were killed in road accidents, illnesses.
"The 100 does not take into account people wounded in action. They were flown back to the UK and then subsequently died.
"It is an artificial figure. In a very sombre sense, it informs the debate."
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, commander of Task Force Helmand, said the 100th death was an "unwanted milestone" and a "tragic reminder of the human price" British forces are paying.
But he went on: "We need to set it in the perspective of what we are seeking to achieve here.
"We want to leave Afghanistan for the Afghans in a country that is better-governed, more secure, more peaceful, and crucially no longer represents a threat to the international community.
"I think that is a really significant prize."
