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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK soldier killed in Afghan blast | UK soldier killed in Afghan blast |
| (30 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 when the blast happened. | |
| The Gurkhas had been part of an operation in neighbouring Helmand Province when they were hit 19 miles from the coalition air base. | The Gurkhas had been part of an operation in neighbouring Helmand Province when they were hit 19 miles 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | |
| 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." | |
| The soldier's death takes the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 82. |