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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK soldier killed in Afghanistan | UK soldier killed in Afghanistan |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A British soldier has died in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A British soldier has died in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The soldier, from 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles, died on Saturday after his vehicle hit an explosive device while on patrol. | |
| He had been taking part in a routine road move when it happened, the MoD said. Next of kin have been informed. | He had been taking part in a routine road move when it happened, the MoD said. Next of kin have been informed. |
| His death in Musa Qala, Helmand, takes the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 125. | His death in Musa Qala, Helmand, takes the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 125. |
| 'Heartfelt sympathies' | 'Heartfelt sympathies' |
| Cdr Paula Rowe of Task Force Helmand said everyone in the force had been saddened by the soldier's death. | |
| We have lost a valuable member of our team Brig Gen Richard BlanchetteISAF | We have lost a valuable member of our team Brig Gen Richard BlanchetteISAF |
| "While there are no words to ease their loss, our heartfelt sympathies go to his family, friends and fellow soldiers at this difficult time," she said. | "While there are no words to ease their loss, our heartfelt sympathies go to his family, friends and fellow soldiers at this difficult time," she said. |
| Brig Gen Richard Blanchette, of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), also extended his condolences to the soldier's family. | Brig Gen Richard Blanchette, of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), also extended his condolences to the soldier's family. |
| He said: "We have lost a valuable member of our team and this loss will be felt across Isaf." | He said: "We have lost a valuable member of our team and this loss will be felt across Isaf." |
| The soldier's death is the second from the battalion in just over two weeks. | The soldier's death is the second from the battalion in just over two weeks. |
| Yubraj Rai, 28, was killed on 4 November when his patrol was attacked, also in Musa Qala. | Yubraj Rai, 28, was killed on 4 November when his patrol was attacked, also in Musa Qala. |
| Britain has about 8,000 troops in Afghanistan. It is the second-largest contributor of foreign forces in the country after the United States. | Britain has about 8,000 troops in Afghanistan. It is the second-largest contributor of foreign forces in the country after the United States. |