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Four soldiers die in Afghanistan Four soldiers die in Afghanistan
(10 minutes later)
Four UK soldiers, one believed to be a woman, have been killed in Afghanistan after their vehicle was caught in an explosion, the MoD has said. Four UK soldiers, one believed to be a woman, have died in Afghanistan after their vehicle was caught in a blast.
The explosion happened east of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province. Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the bravery of the soldiers, who died east of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the dead soldiers' "bravery, dedication and professionalism". The dead soldiers' next-of-kin have been informed. Their deaths take to nine the number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan in the last two weeks.
The dead soldiers' next-of-kin have been informed. The deaths take the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 106. If confirmed that one of the dead was a woman, she would be the first British female soldier to have died there.
If it is confirmed that one of the dead is a woman, she will be the first British female soldier to die in Afghanistan. It is understood she was a member of the Intelligence Corps. It is understood she was a member of the Intelligence Corps.
The four deaths take to 106 the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
'Dangerous job''Dangerous job'
Three of the soldiers were killed in the blast and another was pronounced dead at the Camp Bastion medical base.Three of the soldiers were killed in the blast and another was pronounced dead at the Camp Bastion medical base.
The Taleban are losing in Afghanistan...we are enjoying a degree of success Defence Secretary Des BrowneThe Taleban are losing in Afghanistan...we are enjoying a degree of success Defence Secretary Des Browne
A fifth soldier wounded in the attack, which happened at 1540 local time on Tuesday, is in a stable condition.A fifth soldier wounded in the attack, which happened at 1540 local time on Tuesday, is in a stable condition.
Mr Brown said: "I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the four brave British soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan and will be deeply mourned.Mr Brown said: "I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the four brave British soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan and will be deeply mourned.
"They were in the most dangerous of jobs in the most difficult of circumstances."They were in the most dangerous of jobs in the most difficult of circumstances.
"I salute, not just their bravery, dedication and professionalism, but that of all our armed forces. Our troops are the best in the world and fighting for the noblest of causes.""I salute, not just their bravery, dedication and professionalism, but that of all our armed forces. Our troops are the best in the world and fighting for the noblest of causes."
'Taleban losing' Des Browne sends his condolences to the families
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "We've had a very difficult time over the last 10 days. We've lost nine soldiers altogether in three separate incidents."Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "We've had a very difficult time over the last 10 days. We've lost nine soldiers altogether in three separate incidents."
He added: "The Taleban are losing in Afghanistan, I know it may not appear like that at the moment, but we are enjoying a degree of success."He added: "The Taleban are losing in Afghanistan, I know it may not appear like that at the moment, but we are enjoying a degree of success."
The bodies of five British soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, were flown back to the UK this week.The bodies of five British soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, were flown back to the UK this week.
Two of them, L/Cpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty, were patrolling on foot near their base in Helmand when they came under fire on Thursday last week.Two of them, L/Cpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty, were patrolling on foot near their base in Helmand when they came under fire on Thursday last week.
Ptes Nathan Cuthbertson, David Murray and Daniel Gamble, also on foot patrol, died in a suicide bombing on 8 June.Ptes Nathan Cuthbertson, David Murray and Daniel Gamble, also on foot patrol, died in a suicide bombing on 8 June.
The latest deaths are the biggest single loss of British lives in Afghanistan since an RAF Nimrod crash in 2006 which killed 14 servicemen.The latest deaths are the biggest single loss of British lives in Afghanistan since an RAF Nimrod crash in 2006 which killed 14 servicemen.
Extra troopsExtra troops
BBC News defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the feeling among British military leaders was that the Taleban was being outgunned and that its command-and-control was disintegrating.BBC News defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the feeling among British military leaders was that the Taleban was being outgunned and that its command-and-control was disintegrating.
The problem is that this has driven the Taleban to measures such as the latest explosion which are very difficult to defend against, she said.The problem is that this has driven the Taleban to measures such as the latest explosion which are very difficult to defend against, she said.
Brig Gen Carlos Branco, from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan, said: "Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the family and friends of the brave soldiers who were killed today.Brig Gen Carlos Branco, from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan, said: "Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the family and friends of the brave soldiers who were killed today.
"These soldiers died and were wounded trying to help bring peace and security for the Afghan people.""These soldiers died and were wounded trying to help bring peace and security for the Afghan people."
Mr Browne announced this week that British troop numbers in Afghanistan will rise by 230 to a new high of more than 8,000 by next spring.Mr Browne announced this week that British troop numbers in Afghanistan will rise by 230 to a new high of more than 8,000 by next spring.
The new troops will boost protection for UK personnel, improve Afghan security training and aid reconstruction work.The new troops will boost protection for UK personnel, improve Afghan security training and aid reconstruction work.
The former head of the Army, Gen Sir Mike Jackson, said on Tuesday that British troops must be prepared to match the "strategic endurance" of the Taleban.The former head of the Army, Gen Sir Mike Jackson, said on Tuesday that British troops must be prepared to match the "strategic endurance" of the Taleban.
He welcomed the announcement of more troops for Afghanistan, and said it would be wrong to set a time frame on withdrawing forces.He welcomed the announcement of more troops for Afghanistan, and said it would be wrong to set a time frame on withdrawing forces.