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Four UK Afghan deaths in one day Four UK Afghan deaths in one day
(20 minutes later)
Two UK soldiers have died in an attack in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, bringing the total killed on Thursday to four.Two UK soldiers have died in an attack in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, bringing the total killed on Thursday to four.
A soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and one from 173 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment, Royal Military Police died after a suicide attack.A soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and one from 173 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment, Royal Military Police died after a suicide attack.
Another soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died in an explosion and a Black Watch soldier was shot.Another soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died in an explosion and a Black Watch soldier was shot.
The families of all the soldiers have been informed.The families of all the soldiers have been informed.
Since 2001, 157 UK troops have been killed on operations in Afghanistan.Since 2001, 157 UK troops have been killed on operations in Afghanistan.
The soldiers killed by the suicide attack died during a patrol in Gereshk, Helmand Province.The soldiers killed by the suicide attack died during a patrol in Gereshk, Helmand Province.
This is the first time since June 2008 that four soldiers have been killed on a single day.
Speaking of these two deaths, Lt Col Nick Richardson said: "With heavy heart we report another extremely sad situation, where lives of our courageous soldiers have been sacrificed for the greater good of the Afghan people.Speaking of these two deaths, Lt Col Nick Richardson said: "With heavy heart we report another extremely sad situation, where lives of our courageous soldiers have been sacrificed for the greater good of the Afghan people.
"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."
'Ultimate sacrifice''Ultimate sacrifice'
Col Richardson had earlier spoken about the deaths of the two other soldiers killed in Helmand.Col Richardson had earlier spoken about the deaths of the two other soldiers killed in Helmand.
He said the fact that both had died within hours of each other meant it was a "sad day" in the history of British operations in Helmand.He said the fact that both had died within hours of each other meant it was a "sad day" in the history of British operations in Helmand.
Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, said the soldier from 2nd Battalion The Rifles had made the "ultimate sacrifice to bring hope and peace to the people of Afghanistan".Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, said the soldier from 2nd Battalion The Rifles had made the "ultimate sacrifice to bring hope and peace to the people of Afghanistan".
The soldier was killed in Sangin, in the north of the province.The soldier was killed in Sangin, in the north of the province.
On Thursday, defence officials announced the soldier from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, had died from a gunshot wound suffered during a patrol with the Afghan National Army in the vicinity of Woqab, near Musa Qala in Helmand.On Thursday, defence officials announced the soldier from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, had died from a gunshot wound suffered during a patrol with the Afghan National Army in the vicinity of Woqab, near Musa Qala in Helmand.