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| Two soldiers die in Afghan blast | Two soldiers die in Afghan blast |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Two British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | Two British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The pair died in an all-terrain armoured Jackal vehicle in Garmsir district in southern Helmand on Sunday. | |
| They were from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, serving with 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards. Next of kin have been informed. | They were from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, serving with 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards. Next of kin have been informed. |
| On Saturday, L/Cpl Christopher Harkett, 22, became the 150th British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan since 2001. | On Saturday, L/Cpl Christopher Harkett, 22, became the 150th British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan since 2001. |
| Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for Task Force Helmand in Afghanistan, said: "The deaths of these two soldiers will be keenly felt by all in the Task Force and particularly by those who worked alongside them. | Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for Task Force Helmand in Afghanistan, said: "The deaths of these two soldiers will be keenly felt by all in the Task Force and particularly by those who worked alongside them. |
| "Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go to their families and loved ones and we offer our thoughts and prayers to them all at this most painful and distressing time." | "Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go to their families and loved ones and we offer our thoughts and prayers to them all at this most painful and distressing time." |
| 'Spirit and character' | 'Spirit and character' |
| The Jackal squadron from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards is involved in patrolling the "Snake's Head" area around the Helmand river. | The Jackal squadron from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards is involved in patrolling the "Snake's Head" area around the Helmand river. |
| L/Cpl Harkett, from Pontardawe, near Swansea, of The 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Regiment, was fatally injured in an explosion in Musa Qala, northern Helmand. | L/Cpl Harkett, from Pontardawe, near Swansea, of The 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Regiment, was fatally injured in an explosion in Musa Qala, northern Helmand. |
| Maj Sid Welham, commanding officer of C Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, said: "Lance Corporal Chris 'H' Harkett personified the spirit and character of The Royal Welsh." | Maj Sid Welham, commanding officer of C Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, said: "Lance Corporal Chris 'H' Harkett personified the spirit and character of The Royal Welsh." |
| L/Cpl Harkett was trained at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate and subsequently at Catterick before joining the battalion in March 2004 in Paderborn, Germany. | L/Cpl Harkett was trained at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate and subsequently at Catterick before joining the battalion in March 2004 in Paderborn, Germany. |
| Defence Secretary John Hutton said: "It is clear that L/Cpl Christopher Harkett was a dedicated and enthusiastic soldier from a family with a strong military tradition." | Defence Secretary John Hutton said: "It is clear that L/Cpl Christopher Harkett was a dedicated and enthusiastic soldier from a family with a strong military tradition." |
| In another incident, a roadside bomb attack in eastern Afghanistan killed four US soldiers on Sunday. | In another incident, a roadside bomb attack in eastern Afghanistan killed four US soldiers on Sunday. |