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| Soldier dies as Afghan toll rises | Soldier dies as Afghan toll rises |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier has become the seventh to die in a week of fighting in Afghanistan, as a minister warned "more lives would be lost". | A British soldier has become the seventh to die in a week of fighting in Afghanistan, as a minister warned "more lives would be lost". |
| The serviceman, from the Light Dragoons, died in an explosion near Gereshk in Helmand Province on Tuesday night. Next of kin have been informed. | The serviceman, from the Light Dragoons, died in an explosion near Gereshk in Helmand Province on Tuesday night. Next of kin have been informed. |
| Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said "for Britain to be secure, Afghanistan needs to be made secure". | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said "for Britain to be secure, Afghanistan needs to be made secure". |
| The latest death takes the number of soldiers to die in Afghanistan to 176. | |
| In a keynote policy speech - the first since he was appointed defence secretary - Mr Ainsworth said the way forward in Afghanistan would be "hard and dangerous". | In a keynote policy speech - the first since he was appointed defence secretary - Mr Ainsworth said the way forward in Afghanistan would be "hard and dangerous". |
| When you go out to Afghanistan, as I did last weekend, there is a very real sense of momentum Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth | When you go out to Afghanistan, as I did last weekend, there is a very real sense of momentum Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth |
| He added: "More lives will be lost and our resolve is going to be tested... Success will be achieved incrementally." | He added: "More lives will be lost and our resolve is going to be tested... Success will be achieved incrementally." |
| He said Afghans would eventually take responsibility for their security but said: "This is not going to happen tomorrow, or in a few short weeks or months. | He said Afghans would eventually take responsibility for their security but said: "This is not going to happen tomorrow, or in a few short weeks or months. |
| "If we are to succeed we need both courage and patience to see it through. There is no defined end date, only an end state". | "If we are to succeed we need both courage and patience to see it through. There is no defined end date, only an end state". |
| He said that there were "compelling reasons" for the UK's commitment to the operation. | He said that there were "compelling reasons" for the UK's commitment to the operation. |
| "For Britain to be secure, Afghanistan needs to be secure," he said. | "For Britain to be secure, Afghanistan needs to be secure," he said. |
| BBC Defence Correspondent Rob Watson said the speech came at a time when many analysts are questioning the feasibility of the shorter and longer term aims of the war in Afghanistan. | BBC Defence Correspondent Rob Watson said the speech came at a time when many analysts are questioning the feasibility of the shorter and longer term aims of the war in Afghanistan. |
| Privately, even some government officials are wary about the chances of success, our correspondent added. | Privately, even some government officials are wary about the chances of success, our correspondent added. |
| The soldier who died on Tuesday was part of Operation Panther's Claw, a major assault against the Taliban. | The soldier who died on Tuesday was part of Operation Panther's Claw, a major assault against the Taliban. |
| Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "This soldier gave his life for the security of his own country and the freedom of the Afghan people -there is no greater sacrifice than this. | Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "This soldier gave his life for the security of his own country and the freedom of the Afghan people -there is no greater sacrifice than this. |
| "Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go to his family and loved ones." | "Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go to his family and loved ones." |
| Panther's Claw | Panther's Claw |
| The Light Dragoons, based in Norfolk, are among 700 UK troops taking part in Panther's Claw, launched two weeks ago in Helmand. | The Light Dragoons, based in Norfolk, are among 700 UK troops taking part in Panther's Claw, launched two weeks ago in Helmand. |
| A much larger offensive in the province is being fought by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops. | A much larger offensive in the province is being fought by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops. |
| The joint campaign is designed to drive the Taliban out of the region and make it safe for presidential elections due next month. | The joint campaign is designed to drive the Taliban out of the region and make it safe for presidential elections due next month. |
| Earlier Mr Ainsworth told the BBC there was "gloom and worry" about the death toll but also a "sense of momentum" about the operation. | Earlier Mr Ainsworth told the BBC there was "gloom and worry" about the death toll but also a "sense of momentum" about the operation. |
| He rejected comparisons with the Vietnam conflict, which lasted more than 15 years and cost the lives of nearly 60,000 US servicemen. | He rejected comparisons with the Vietnam conflict, which lasted more than 15 years and cost the lives of nearly 60,000 US servicemen. |
| Mr Ainsworth said: "I don't accept that. We have made considerable progress." | Mr Ainsworth said: "I don't accept that. We have made considerable progress." |
| He added: "There is, of course, gloom and worry back here in London with the numbers of people that we've lost. If people weren't [worrying], there would be something seriously wrong with them. | He added: "There is, of course, gloom and worry back here in London with the numbers of people that we've lost. If people weren't [worrying], there would be something seriously wrong with them. |
| "But when you go out to Afghanistan, as I did last weekend, there is a very real sense of momentum." | "But when you go out to Afghanistan, as I did last weekend, there is a very real sense of momentum." |
| Mr Ainsworth comments came after UK casualties in Afghanistan showed a steep rise. | Mr Ainsworth comments came after UK casualties in Afghanistan showed a steep rise. |
| The seven deaths this month alone include Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who became the most senior Army officer to be killed on operations since the Falklands War. | The seven deaths this month alone include Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who became the most senior Army officer to be killed on operations since the Falklands War. |
| Another British soldier from 22 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, died on Monday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan's southern Zabul Province. He too is yet to be named. | Another British soldier from 22 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, died on Monday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan's southern Zabul Province. He too is yet to be named. |