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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK soldier killed in attack named | UK soldier killed in attack named |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The British soldier killed in a rocket attack in southern Afghanistan has been named as Sergeant Barry Keen, 34, serving with 14 Signal Regiment. | |
| Sgt Keen, from Gateshead, was fatally wounded when a single mortar round landed next to him, the MoD said. | Sgt Keen, from Gateshead, was fatally wounded when a single mortar round landed next to him, the MoD said. |
| He was reorganising his team in a secure compound after supporting the Afghan National Army in the fight against the Taleban when he was killed. | He was reorganising his team in a secure compound after supporting the Afghan National Army in the fight against the Taleban when he was killed. |
| Despite receiving immediate medical treatment he died from his injuries. | Despite receiving immediate medical treatment he died from his injuries. |
| Sgt Keen was serving with Battle Group South on operation Chakush (Hammer) aimed at disrupting Taleban forces in the upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand Province. | Sgt Keen was serving with Battle Group South on operation Chakush (Hammer) aimed at disrupting Taleban forces in the upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand Province. |
| The operation was in its fourth day of fierce fighting. | The operation was in its fourth day of fierce fighting. |
| 'Widely respected' | 'Widely respected' |
| His death brings the number of UK military fatalities in Afghanistan since 2001 to 67. | His death brings the number of UK military fatalities in Afghanistan since 2001 to 67. |
| Sgt Keen, from Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, had spent nearly 18 years in the Army and his career included tours in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. | Sgt Keen, from Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, had spent nearly 18 years in the Army and his career included tours in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. |
| Lieutenant Dave Phillips, his Troop Commander, said Sgt Keen was "an inspirational figure within the troop, he was widely respected and well liked by all. | Lieutenant Dave Phillips, his Troop Commander, said Sgt Keen was "an inspirational figure within the troop, he was widely respected and well liked by all. |
| "The soldiers he worked with looked up to him and would willingly deploy alongside him. | "The soldiers he worked with looked up to him and would willingly deploy alongside him. |
| "As his Troop Commander I relied upon his knowledge and experience on an almost daily basis, not once did he let me down," Lt Phillips said. | "As his Troop Commander I relied upon his knowledge and experience on an almost daily basis, not once did he let me down," Lt Phillips said. |
| He added: "Sgt Keen will be missed by all those that knew him, not only as a tradesman and a soldier but as a friend." | He added: "Sgt Keen will be missed by all those that knew him, not only as a tradesman and a soldier but as a friend." |
| Sgt Keen was on a six-month tour of Afghanistan. | Sgt Keen was on a six-month tour of Afghanistan. |
| Warrant Officer Class 2 Gaz Robinson, his friend and colleague, said: "My friendship with Baz goes back about 15 years and I cannot begin to describe my emotions at this time. | Warrant Officer Class 2 Gaz Robinson, his friend and colleague, said: "My friendship with Baz goes back about 15 years and I cannot begin to describe my emotions at this time. |
| "I can honestly say that he has changed not one bit since I first met him. He was a quality soldier and tradesman who had the ability to make you laugh out loud with his jokes and stories. | "I can honestly say that he has changed not one bit since I first met him. He was a quality soldier and tradesman who had the ability to make you laugh out loud with his jokes and stories. |
| "I will never forget the friendship we shared." | "I will never forget the friendship we shared." |
| Operation Chakush | Operation Chakush |
| Two other NATO troops and an Afghan soldier died in a separate clash with Taleban fighters in the country on Friday. | Two other NATO troops and an Afghan soldier died in a separate clash with Taleban fighters in the country on Friday. |
| They were killed in an area of eastern Nuristan province. Thirteen NATO soldiers were wounded in the incident. | They were killed in an area of eastern Nuristan province. Thirteen NATO soldiers were wounded in the incident. |
| Sgt Keen's death means three UK soldiers have been killed in three days during heavy fighting in southern Afghanistan. | Sgt Keen's death means three UK soldiers have been killed in three days during heavy fighting in southern Afghanistan. |
| Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, 22, of the Royal Anglian Regiment was the first to be killed on Wednesday, when a roadside bomb struck the vehicle he was travelling in. | Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, 22, of the Royal Anglian Regiment was the first to be killed on Wednesday, when a roadside bomb struck the vehicle he was travelling in. |
| The second was Guardsman David Atherton, 25, from the Grenadier Guards, who was shot during a firefight on Thursday after firing an anti-tank missile at Taleban positions. | The second was Guardsman David Atherton, 25, from the Grenadier Guards, who was shot during a firefight on Thursday after firing an anti-tank missile at Taleban positions. |
| BBC Kabul correspondent Alastair Leithead said the battles in the Gereshk valley area were a result of Operation Chakush. | BBC Kabul correspondent Alastair Leithead said the battles in the Gereshk valley area were a result of Operation Chakush. |
| Up to 1,500 British troops and 500 Afghan, Estonian, Danish and US soldiers are involved in the mission to try to force Taleban insurgents further up the valley, our correspondent said. | Up to 1,500 British troops and 500 Afghan, Estonian, Danish and US soldiers are involved in the mission to try to force Taleban insurgents further up the valley, our correspondent said. |