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| Two British soldiers die in Iraq | Two British soldiers die in Iraq |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Two British soldiers have been killed in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said. | Two British soldiers have been killed in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said. |
| The soldiers died when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated next to their patrol west of Basra, southern Iraq, just after midnight on Thursday. | The soldiers died when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated next to their patrol west of Basra, southern Iraq, just after midnight on Thursday. |
| The next of kin of the two dead soldiers, who were from 1st Battalion the Irish Guards, have been informed. | The next of kin of the two dead soldiers, who were from 1st Battalion the Irish Guards, have been informed. |
| A serviceman killed separately in Iraq on Tuesday has been named as Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard, of No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment. | A serviceman killed separately in Iraq on Tuesday has been named as Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard, of No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment. |
| British forces have suffered 41 fatalities in Iraq in 2007, including four this week. | |
| The latest deaths bring the total number of UK personnel killed while in Iraq to 168. | The latest deaths bring the total number of UK personnel killed while in Iraq to 168. |
| The soldiers were attacked to the north of the Rumaylah oil fields. Another two soldiers were seriously injured in the incident. | The soldiers were attacked to the north of the Rumaylah oil fields. Another two soldiers were seriously injured in the incident. |
| 'Exceptionally gifted' | 'Exceptionally gifted' |
| LAC Beard, 20, was taking part in a routine foot patrol in the Al Waki district north of the British base at Basra air station. | LAC Beard, 20, was taking part in a routine foot patrol in the Al Waki district north of the British base at Basra air station. |
| He sustained a gunshot wound when the patrol came under attack as it moved through Al Waki market, and was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital. | He sustained a gunshot wound when the patrol came under attack as it moved through Al Waki market, and was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital. |
| LAC Beard, of Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, leaves a family and fiancee. | LAC Beard, of Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, leaves a family and fiancee. |
| His commanding officer, Sqn Ldr Jason Sutton, said: "Strong, fit and an exceptionally gifted infantryman, he had such a bright future and had already set his sights on selection for special forces. | His commanding officer, Sqn Ldr Jason Sutton, said: "Strong, fit and an exceptionally gifted infantryman, he had such a bright future and had already set his sights on selection for special forces. |
| "I have no doubt whatsoever he would have succeeded in that as he did in all else. | "I have no doubt whatsoever he would have succeeded in that as he did in all else. |
| "He was due to marry upon his return from Iraq and we all feel so deeply for his fiancee, Nic." | "He was due to marry upon his return from Iraq and we all feel so deeply for his fiancee, Nic." |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne expressed his condolences to LAC Beard's family, friends and colleagues. | Defence Secretary Des Browne expressed his condolences to LAC Beard's family, friends and colleagues. |
| Mr Browne said: "Leading Aircraftman Beard was a very popular and highly promising young man who was a credit to the Royal Air Force Regiment." | Mr Browne said: "Leading Aircraftman Beard was a very popular and highly promising young man who was a credit to the Royal Air Force Regiment." |