This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/7029375.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UK soldier killed in Afghan blast | UK soldier killed in Afghan blast |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A British Army soldier has been killed and two others injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. | A British Army soldier has been killed and two others injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. |
| The soldiers, serving with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were returning to base at Kandahar Airfield on Thursday when the blast happened. | |
| The Gurkhas had been part of an operation in neighbouring Helmand Province when they were hit 19 miles (30km) from the coalition air base. | |
| The injured soldiers are receiving treatment. Families have been informed. | The injured soldiers are receiving treatment. Families have been informed. |
| Major mission | Major mission |
| All three soldiers were airlifted to the main UK base at Camp Bastion, where one was pronounced dead. | All three soldiers were airlifted to the main UK base at Camp Bastion, where one was pronounced dead. |
| The Gurkhas were involved in an operation involving 2,500 troops - their first major operation since their arrival in the country earlier this month. | The Gurkhas were involved in an operation involving 2,500 troops - their first major operation since their arrival in the country earlier this month. |
| Troops confront danger on a daily basis as they continue to improve the security situation in Afghanistan Squadron Leader Mat Best | Troops confront danger on a daily basis as they continue to improve the security situation in Afghanistan Squadron Leader Mat Best |
| Codenamed 'Palk Wahel' or 'Sledgehammer Hit', the mission, involving other British troops and Afghan National Security Forces, aims to drive the Taleban insurgents from the Upper Gereshk Valley. | Codenamed 'Palk Wahel' or 'Sledgehammer Hit', the mission, involving other British troops and Afghan National Security Forces, aims to drive the Taleban insurgents from the Upper Gereshk Valley. |
| The Ministry of Defence said it was with "deep regret" that it had to announce the death. | The Ministry of Defence said it was with "deep regret" that it had to announce the death. |
| Squadron Leader Mat Best, a spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said: "Isaf troops confront danger on a daily basis as they continue to improve the security situation in Afghanistan. | Squadron Leader Mat Best, a spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said: "Isaf troops confront danger on a daily basis as they continue to improve the security situation in Afghanistan. |
| "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died or been injured in the incident." | "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died or been injured in the incident." |
| The soldier's death takes the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 82. | The soldier's death takes the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 82. |