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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| UK soldier killed in Afghan blast | UK soldier killed in Afghan blast |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| Five other soldiers were wounded in the blast on Sunday, 20 January. | Five other soldiers were wounded in the blast on Sunday, 20 January. |
| The soldier was a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. Next of kin have been told. | The soldier was a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. Next of kin have been told. |
| He was killed and the others injured when their vehicle was hit by a mine 3km (1.8 miles) north east of Musa Qala, the MoD statement said. | He was killed and the others injured when their vehicle was hit by a mine 3km (1.8 miles) north east of Musa Qala, the MoD statement said. |
| The soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. A 24-hour period of grace has been requested by his next of kin before further details are released. | |
| Disrupting enemy | Disrupting enemy |
| All casualties were evacuated by helicopter to the International Security Assistance Force medical facility at Camp Bastion and Kandahar airfield, the statement said. | All casualties were evacuated by helicopter to the International Security Assistance Force medical facility at Camp Bastion and Kandahar airfield, the statement said. |
| The personnel were disrupting enemy forces and reassuring local Afghans when they were hit, the MoD added. | The personnel were disrupting enemy forces and reassuring local Afghans when they were hit, the MoD added. |
| The town of Musa Qala was in the Taleban's hands until last month, when troops from the UK, US and Afghanistan recaptured it. | |
| The insurgents reportedly withdrew, heading for the mountains, rather than fight street by street to retain control. | |
| British troops are understood to have kept a small presence there, but the main defence of the town and the surrounding area is led by the Afghan army. | |
| The Taleban took over Musa Qala in February, despite a deal struck with tribal elders when UK troops withdrew. | |
| The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 87. | The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 87. |
| A large number of international troops are fighting the Taleban-led insurgency in the south. | A large number of international troops are fighting the Taleban-led insurgency in the south. |
| Attacks and roadside bombings against foreign soldiers are frequent. | Attacks and roadside bombings against foreign soldiers are frequent. |