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| UK soldier killed in blast named | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan has been named. | |
| Trooper Christopher Whiteside, 20, of the Light Dragoons, died in an explosion near Gereshk, Helmand Province, on Tuesday, officials said. | |
| The soldier, originally from Blackpool, was the seventh UK soldier to die in a week, bringing the total killed in operations in Afghanistan to 176. | |
| Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said more will die before the operation, started in 2001, is over. | |
| 'Never found wanting' | 'Never found wanting' |
| Trooper Whiteside's commanding officer described him as "fit, robust and determined". | Trooper Whiteside's commanding officer described him as "fit, robust and determined". |
| Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair said: "Trooper Whiteside had only been in the regiment for a short time, but had established a reputation as an excellent soldier." | Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair said: "Trooper Whiteside had only been in the regiment for a short time, but had established a reputation as an excellent soldier." |
| He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us Lt Col Gus Fair | He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us Lt Col Gus Fair |
| He said the 20-year-old "had been tested in some of the most intense fighting ever experienced in Afghanistan for four days prior to his death and had never been found wanting. | He said the 20-year-old "had been tested in some of the most intense fighting ever experienced in Afghanistan for four days prior to his death and had never been found wanting. |
| "As part of the Fire Support Group, he had led 3rd Platoon from the front all day during fighting in the heat and demanding terrain. | "As part of the Fire Support Group, he had led 3rd Platoon from the front all day during fighting in the heat and demanding terrain. |
| "He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us." | "He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us." |
| The Light Dragoons, based in Norfolk, are among 700 British troops taking part in the Panther's Claw operation, launched two weeks ago in Helmand. | The Light Dragoons, based in Norfolk, are among 700 British troops taking part in the Panther's Claw operation, 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. |