Two UK troops dead in Afghanistan

[GAP]

Two UK troops dead in Afghanistan
Tuesday, August 1, 2006 Posted: 0807 GMT (1607 HKT) CNN
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/01/afghan.british/index.html
also this link
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060801.wafghan0801/BNStory/International/home

LONDON, England (CNN) -- At least two British soldiers were killed Tuesday when their vehicle came under fire in southern Afghanistan, according to the British Ministry of Defence and NATO.

"We can confirm that two British soldiers have been killed, one is missing and one is seriously injured as a result of ongoing action in southern Afghanistan," the MoD statement said.

According to NATO sources, the attack took place around 7:30 a.m. (11 p.m. ET Monday) in the Musaqala district of Helmand province when insurgents opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades.

In May, al Qaeda forces briefly took control of Musaqala before British troops pushed them out.

NATO troops are serving in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

ISAF, which operates under a U.N. mandate, supports the Afghan government by maintaining a secure environment to facilitate rebuilding the country.

 

[tomahawk6]

RIP.

 

[foerestedwarrior]

http://news.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/World/ContentPosting.aspx?newsitemid=britsdead-afghanistan&feedname=CBC-WORLD-V2&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc

Three British soldiers were killed and a fourth was seriously wounded in an ambush on Tuesday in southern Afghanistan.


CBC News
Insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns when they attacked two vehicles of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in the volatile Helmand province.

The wounded soldier was reported to be receiving treatment at a military hospital in Afghanistan.

The United Kingdom has about 4,000 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, with the majority of them in Helmand.

The attack came one day after NATO troops assumed command of all military operations in southern Afghanistan.

The attack brings to nine the number of British troops killed in action in Afghanistan this year. Nineteen Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002.

With files from the Associated Press

 

[big bad john]

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DefenceNewsDaily.htm

1 August 2006

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA



British soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan
It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the deaths of two British soldiers in southern Afghanistan today, 1 August 2006. A further soldier is missing presumed killed.
UK Forces were involved in ongoing action against insurgent forces in northern Helmand Province this morning, 01 Aug 2006. During the incident, a UK vehicle patrol was attacked by insurgents with rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine guns. Sadly two UK soldiers were killed, one is missing presumed killed and another is seriously injured. No further details of the fatalities will be released until next of kin have been informed.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Very unfortunate.

 

[NavComm]

RIP soldiers. My condolences to family, friends and regiment.

 

[dardt]

RIP 

 

[big bad john]

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/ThreeBritishSoldiersKilledInSouthernAfghanistan.htm

Three British soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan
1 Aug 06
It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the deaths of three British soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday 1 August 2006.

UK Forces were involved in ongoing action against insurgent forces in northern Helmand Province on the morning of 1 August 2006. During the incident, a UK vehicle patrol was attacked by insurgents with rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine guns. Sadly two soldiers from the Household Cavalry Regiment and one from 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery were killed, and one further soldier was seriously injured.

The soldiers were all embarked in a tracked Spartan armoured reconnaissance vehicle, which was equipped with enhanced protection for operations in Afghanistan. A second vehicle immobilised in the incident was a Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicle, also equipped with enhanced protection.

Next of kin have now been informed, but have requested a 24 hour period before the names of their loved ones are released in which to inform wider members of the family. We are grateful for the assistance of the media in this sad matter.

Staff at ISAF Headquarters held a minutes silence this morning.  Commander of ISAF, Lieutenant General David Richards, said:

"It was with much sadness that I received the news of today’s casualties from the Helmand Task Force. This is a tragic incident and I offer my sincerest condolences to the families, loved ones and friends of those brave soldiers.

"Whilst NATO-ISAF regrets the loss of life, our determination remains unaltered and the mission will continue unchanged. In fact, our resolve has been hardened. We know that we have the support of the Government of Afghanistan and the vast majority of the people of Afghanistan, and this knowledge gives us the confidence that a small minority of insurgents will not prevent our ultimate success."

On hearing the news, Defence Secretary Des Browne said:

"This morning’s news from Afghanistan and Iraq is very sad. I know I speak for everyone when I say that our thoughts are with the families and friends of the soldiers who were killed and injured.

"Those responsible for the attacks on our soldiers in Northern Helmand do not want to see security and prosperity brought to the local people. We cannot allow them to succeed, and we remain committed to seeing through our part in this vital international effort.

"Nor will the sad death of a British soldier in Basra deflect our support to the elected Government in Iraq. In both Iraq and Afghanistan our troops are doing a tough job magnificently well. Their courage and commitment demands nothing but admiration."