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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| RAF gunner killed in Afghanistan | RAF gunner killed in Afghanistan |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| An RAF serviceman has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | An RAF serviceman has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| A gunner from 51 Squadron was killed in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, shortly after midnight local time (2030 BST). | A gunner from 51 Squadron was killed in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, shortly after midnight local time (2030 BST). |
| Personnel from the squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, were on a routine security patrol when one of its vehicles was caught in an explosion. | Personnel from the squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, were on a routine security patrol when one of its vehicles was caught in an explosion. |
| Next of kin have been informed. Two other servicemen were hurt. | Next of kin have been informed. Two other servicemen were hurt. |
| A civilian interpreter was also killed in the blast during the patrol around Kandahar airfield, the main hub for British forces flying in and out of southern Afghanistan. | A civilian interpreter was also killed in the blast during the patrol around Kandahar airfield, the main hub for British forces flying in and out of southern Afghanistan. |
| The two other wounded servicemen are said to have minor injuries. | The two other wounded servicemen are said to have minor injuries. |
| The casualties were taken by helicopter to a Nato hospital inside the base, where the gunner was pronounced dead on arrival. The interpreter died of his injuries later. | The casualties were taken by helicopter to a Nato hospital inside the base, where the gunner was pronounced dead on arrival. The interpreter died of his injuries later. |
| The gunner is not expected to be named for at least 24 hours. | The gunner is not expected to be named for at least 24 hours. |
| His death takes the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 74. | His death takes the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 74. |
| Last week, three soldiers from The Royal Anglian Regiment were killed in Helmand province in a "friendly fire" incident. | Last week, three soldiers from The Royal Anglian Regiment were killed in Helmand province in a "friendly fire" incident. |
| The 51 Squadron had been in Afghanistan since April and were due to return home in the next few weeks. |