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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| UK marines killed in Afghan blast | UK marines killed in Afghan blast |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Two Royal Marines have been killed in an explosion which hit their vehicle on patrol in southern Afghanistan. | Two Royal Marines have been killed in an explosion which hit their vehicle on patrol in southern Afghanistan. |
| The pair, from UK Landing Force Command Support Group, died in the blast in the Garmsir district of Helmand province on 12 November. | The pair, from UK Landing Force Command Support Group, died in the blast in the Garmsir district of Helmand province on 12 November. |
| The families of both marines, who served with the Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade, have been notified. | The families of both marines, who served with the Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade, have been notified. |
| The total of UK military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan has now reached 300 - 124 of them in Afghanistan. | The total of UK military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan has now reached 300 - 124 of them in Afghanistan. |
| Cdr Paula Rowe, of Task Force Helmand, said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time." | Cdr Paula Rowe, of Task Force Helmand, said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time." |
| She added: "This is a tragic blow to us all in the task force, but our loss is nothing compared to that of their families and loved ones." | She added: "This is a tragic blow to us all in the task force, but our loss is nothing compared to that of their families and loved ones." |
| 'Peace and stability' | |
| The MoD said the marines had been taking part in a joint patrol with Afghan soldiers when the explosion happened at 1647 local time (1217 GMT). | The MoD said the marines had been taking part in a joint patrol with Afghan soldiers when the explosion happened at 1647 local time (1217 GMT). |
| They had been working with Task Force Helmand's Information Exploitation Group. | They had been working with Task Force Helmand's Information Exploitation Group. |
| Brig Gen Richard Blanchette of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to their family, friends and fellow soldiers. | Brig Gen Richard Blanchette of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to their family, friends and fellow soldiers. |
| "Their lives are irreplaceable to all of us who fight for the peace and stability of Afghanistan." | "Their lives are irreplaceable to all of us who fight for the peace and stability of Afghanistan." |
| Meanwhile, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, speaking after talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Downing Street, has said all efforts are being made "to bring violence down" in Afghanistan. | |
| His comments came after a bloody 24 hours in which one US soldier and at least 18 civilians, as well as the two British marines, were killed. | |
| President Karzai insisted violence in Afghanistan was not increasing, saying it was at the same level "as it was for the past year or two". |