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Afghan bombing kills Royal Marine Afghan bombing kills Royal Marine
(10 minutes later)
A British marine and two children have died after a suicide attack on a patrol in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. A British Royal Marine and two children have died after a suicide attack on a patrol in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.
The deaths took place in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, after a bomber tried to attack a Nato vehicle.The deaths took place in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, after a bomber tried to attack a Nato vehicle.
UK officials said a number of British troops had also been injured. Officials said another marine was very seriously injured.
Meanwhile, a policeman died in an attack in Khost province. The Taleban and their allies have been blamed for a rise in the number of suicide attacks. Meanwhile, a policeman has died in an attack in Khost province. The Taleban and their allies have been blamed for a rise in the number of suicide attacks.
'Children martyred''Children martyred'
The explosion in Lashkar Gah took place in the town centre, near the governor's compound.The explosion in Lashkar Gah took place in the town centre, near the governor's compound.
Officials said the attacker was on foot and threw himself at the Nato convoy of British troops. The MoD said the attacker was on foot and threw himself at the Nato convoy of British troops as it was leaving the Afghan National Police Station.
If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us - it will be a breeding ground for terrorists again Jaap de Hoop SchefferNato secretary generalIf we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us - it will be a breeding ground for terrorists again Jaap de Hoop SchefferNato secretary general
"A suicide bomber detonated targeting Nato troops," the interior ministry in the Afghan capital, Kabul, told the AFP news agency. Seven civilians were also reported to have been wounded.
"The suicide bomber has died, seven civilians have been wounded, two civilian children have been martyred."
Helmand province has seen increased violence between insurgents and Nato-led and Afghan forces this year.Helmand province has seen increased violence between insurgents and Nato-led and Afghan forces this year.
Nato officials said three British soldiers were wounded. Nato officials said three British soldiers were wounded in the attack.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead says a marine later died of his injuries. The BBC's Alastair Leithead said a marine later died of his injuries.
Lashkar Gah, in the south of Helmand, has generally been one of the safest areas in the province, our correspondent added.Lashkar Gah, in the south of Helmand, has generally been one of the safest areas in the province, our correspondent added.
The official spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Clearly, our thoughts are with the injured troops and the families of the Afghan children who were killed." The official spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Clearly, our thoughts are with the troops and the families of the Afghan children who were killed."
However, he insisted that, despite the attack, "we are making real progress in Afghanistan".However, he insisted that, despite the attack, "we are making real progress in Afghanistan".
In eastern Khost province one policeman was killed when a suicide attacker threw himself at a convoy of police cars, officials said.In eastern Khost province one policeman was killed when a suicide attacker threw himself at a convoy of police cars, officials said.
'Do not forget''Do not forget'
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer - secretary general of Nato - stressed the need for a presence in Afghanistan.Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer - secretary general of Nato - stressed the need for a presence in Afghanistan.
He said: "Do not forget where the country came from.He said: "Do not forget where the country came from.
"We are there to defend our basic values, the basic values which guide UK society, Dutch society, Belgian society. If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us. It will be a breeding ground for terrorists again."We are there to defend our basic values, the basic values which guide UK society, Dutch society, Belgian society. If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us. It will be a breeding ground for terrorists again.
"Do not forget 9/11. Do not forget other terrorist attacks. And, being in London now, I do know what it means. Britain has been a victim of this.""Do not forget 9/11. Do not forget other terrorist attacks. And, being in London now, I do know what it means. Britain has been a victim of this."
On Wednesday, reports said that up to 21 civilians had died during two Nato operations.On Wednesday, reports said that up to 21 civilians had died during two Nato operations.