Menu
08/12/2009
Afghanistan Fatalities Hit 100
A soldier was killed yesterday in Afghanistan bringing the death toll of British troops to 100.
The latest casualty that marked this bloody milestone came when a soldier from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment was shot dead in a gun battle with Taliban insurgents near the town of Nad-e Ali, in central Helmand Province.
This year has been the bloodiest for British forces since the Falklands War in 1982, and follows 39 British deaths in the Afghan conflict in 2006, 42 in 2007 and 51 in 2008.
The Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, has asked the public not to judge the campaign by casualties alone.
Head of the Army General Sir David Richards said such a judgement "undervalues the tremendous efforts" of the UK troops.
He added the death of the 100th soldier in Afghanistan "hardens our determination to succeed".
The 100th death comes only a week after the 99th UK serviceman was killed in Afghanistan this year, 30-year-old Acting Sgt John Amer.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered in Wimborne, Dorset, for the funeral of 20-year-old Rifleman Philip Allen - of 2nd Battalion The Rifles - who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on the eve of Remembrance Day.
Earlier this month Prince Edward also attended a thanksgiving service for the Army's Ulster-based 19 Light Brigade which took place at St Anne's Cathedral.
The Commander of 19 Light Brigade, Brigadier Tim Radford laid a memorial wreath at the altar and read out the names of all the 83 service personnel who died in Helmand.
However Mr Ainsworth said there was a "sense of very real progress" in Afghanistan.
He added: "The mission is of vital importance to our national security back in the UK and people have to understand that's the reason we are here."
Gordon Brown also said the rising toll would not shake his resolve - insisting that smashing the Taliban and Al Qaeda was 'vital' to keeping the streets of Britain protected from terrorists.
See: 'Progress Being Made' In Afghanistan War
(LB/BMcC)
The latest casualty that marked this bloody milestone came when a soldier from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment was shot dead in a gun battle with Taliban insurgents near the town of Nad-e Ali, in central Helmand Province.
This year has been the bloodiest for British forces since the Falklands War in 1982, and follows 39 British deaths in the Afghan conflict in 2006, 42 in 2007 and 51 in 2008.
The Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, has asked the public not to judge the campaign by casualties alone.
Head of the Army General Sir David Richards said such a judgement "undervalues the tremendous efforts" of the UK troops.
He added the death of the 100th soldier in Afghanistan "hardens our determination to succeed".
The 100th death comes only a week after the 99th UK serviceman was killed in Afghanistan this year, 30-year-old Acting Sgt John Amer.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered in Wimborne, Dorset, for the funeral of 20-year-old Rifleman Philip Allen - of 2nd Battalion The Rifles - who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on the eve of Remembrance Day.
Earlier this month Prince Edward also attended a thanksgiving service for the Army's Ulster-based 19 Light Brigade which took place at St Anne's Cathedral.
The Commander of 19 Light Brigade, Brigadier Tim Radford laid a memorial wreath at the altar and read out the names of all the 83 service personnel who died in Helmand.
However Mr Ainsworth said there was a "sense of very real progress" in Afghanistan.
He added: "The mission is of vital importance to our national security back in the UK and people have to understand that's the reason we are here."
Gordon Brown also said the rising toll would not shake his resolve - insisting that smashing the Taliban and Al Qaeda was 'vital' to keeping the streets of Britain protected from terrorists.
See: 'Progress Being Made' In Afghanistan War
(LB/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 October 2013
British Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence have confirmed. It is understood that the soldier of the 14 Signals Regiment had been on patrol in Helmand Province when he was killed by enemy fire. His death brings the number of UK service personnel to have died in Afghanistan since 2001 to 445.
British Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence have confirmed. It is understood that the soldier of the 14 Signals Regiment had been on patrol in Helmand Province when he was killed by enemy fire. His death brings the number of UK service personnel to have died in Afghanistan since 2001 to 445.
07 September 2006
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
18 June 2008
Servicewoman Among British Dead In Afghanistan
The death toll continues to rise in Afghanistan as four British troops, including a woman, have been killed in an explosion.
Servicewoman Among British Dead In Afghanistan
The death toll continues to rise in Afghanistan as four British troops, including a woman, have been killed in an explosion.
10 July 2009
British Troops Killed As Death Toll Rises
Two more British soldiers have been killed in separate incidents in southern Afghanistan. In the first incident, a soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in a contact explosion, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced this morning. The soldier was out on a foot patrol near Nad Ali.
British Troops Killed As Death Toll Rises
Two more British soldiers have been killed in separate incidents in southern Afghanistan. In the first incident, a soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in a contact explosion, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced this morning. The soldier was out on a foot patrol near Nad Ali.
05 November 2008
British Soldier Dies In Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. The soldier from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed as a result of enemy fire, in the Musa Qaleh area of Helmand province, on Tuesday afternoon.
British Soldier Dies In Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. The soldier from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed as a result of enemy fire, in the Musa Qaleh area of Helmand province, on Tuesday afternoon.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
