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UK soldier killed in Afghanistan UK soldier killed in Afghanistan
(about 4 hours later)
One British soldier has been killed and three others were injured following an explosion in southern Afghanistan. One British soldier has been killed and three others were injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the blast occurred on Wednesday, during a reconnaissance mission in a desert south of Garmsir in Helmand province. The blast happened on Wednesday, during a reconnaissance mission in a desert south of Garmsir in Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said.
It said the dead soldier's next of kin was being informed. One soldier was seriously hurt and the other two sustained minor injuries. The MoD said it was not yet known what caused the blast, but there were no Taleban forces in the area at the time.
It is understood that there were no Taleban forces in the area at the time. One of the wounded soldiers was seriously hurt and the other two sustained minor injuries.
An MoD spokesman said: "At this stage it is too early to say what caused the explosion." The dead soldier's next of kin are being informed.
'Speedy recovery''Speedy recovery'
And, after pointing out that there were no Taleban fighters in the area, he added that there was "no follow-up contact".
The Commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas, said his thoughts and condolences were with the dead soldier's family, friends and colleagues.The Commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas, said his thoughts and condolences were with the dead soldier's family, friends and colleagues.
He said the sense of tragedy was heightened by the fact that it had taken place "during this special time of the year".He said the sense of tragedy was heightened by the fact that it had taken place "during this special time of the year".
"My thoughts are also with the soldier who was seriously injured and I wish him a speedy recovery," he went on. "My thoughts are also with the soldier who was seriously injured and I wish him a speedy recovery," he said.
Brig Thomas added: "The soldier's colleagues remain on the ground and are continuing with their task, despite their loss.Brig Thomas added: "The soldier's colleagues remain on the ground and are continuing with their task, despite their loss.
"They are determined to complete their mission.""They are determined to complete their mission."
The number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 44.
Of the 44, 21 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, according to the MoD.