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Serviceman killed in Afghanistan Serviceman killed in Afghanistan
(about 1 hour later)
A British serviceman has been killed and two others injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.A British serviceman has been killed and two others injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The three had been returning from operations when their vehicle was caught in a blast north of Sangin, Helmand, on Sunday afternoon.The three had been returning from operations when their vehicle was caught in a blast north of Sangin, Helmand, on Sunday afternoon.
Next of kin have been informed. Ninety-seven UK troops have now died in operations in Afghanistan since 2001.Next of kin have been informed. Ninety-seven UK troops have now died in operations in Afghanistan since 2001.
It came as the defence secretary visited Afghanistan over the weekend.It came as the defence secretary visited Afghanistan over the weekend.
The MoD said the two injured service personnel were airlifted to Camp Bastion for medical treatment.The MoD said the two injured service personnel were airlifted to Camp Bastion for medical treatment.
Brigadier General Carlos Branco, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of these brave soldiers."
I am immensely impressed with the efforts of our forces in Afghanistan Des BrowneDefence secretaryI am immensely impressed with the efforts of our forces in Afghanistan Des BrowneDefence secretary
The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul said it was not clear what had caused the explosion but there had been an increase in Taleban attacks using improvised devices. They were then being flown back to the UK for treatment, said the BBC's Alistair Leithead.
They had been travelling in a Viking armoured vehicle which struck either a mine or a roadside bomb - left by the Taleban deliberately to attack the vehicle, he said.
The MoD said Defence Secretary Des Browne visited British troops in Afghanistan over the weekend to see the progress they are making.The MoD said Defence Secretary Des Browne visited British troops in Afghanistan over the weekend to see the progress they are making.
He visited Regional Command South in Kandahar, the ISAF command that British troops in southern Afghanistan operate under.He visited Regional Command South in Kandahar, the ISAF command that British troops in southern Afghanistan operate under.
Mr Browne said: "I am immensely impressed with the efforts of our forces in Afghanistan. There is a real sense of progress and optimism in Helmand and our troops are making a difference."Mr Browne said: "I am immensely impressed with the efforts of our forces in Afghanistan. There is a real sense of progress and optimism in Helmand and our troops are making a difference."
The defence secretary said he felt troops were "succeeding against the insurgents", adding that "the Afghans' ability to deliver their own security is ever increasing".The defence secretary said he felt troops were "succeeding against the insurgents", adding that "the Afghans' ability to deliver their own security is ever increasing".
Brigadier General Carlos Branco, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of these brave soldiers."