10/03/2011

RIR Soldier Dies In Roadside Bomb

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported the death of a British soldier in the Nad Ali area of Helmand province in Afghanistan.

The soldier, from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (RIR), was taking part in an operation on Wednesday when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

His next of kin had been informed.

Lt Col David Eastman, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "The soldier gave his life pursuing peace and stability for a people that had been dominated by insurgent subjugation, threats and intimidation."

He added: "We vow to carry on his vital work in the face of such cowardly and indiscriminate attacks.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this deeply sad time," he said.

Since 2001, the total number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan has now reached 359, but it is not yet known where the tragic soldier was from.

In Northern Ireland - the RIR's traditional home - a local politician, the Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has expressed his condolences to the family.

"I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of one of our brave soldiers in Afghanistan. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this soldier," he said this morning.

"This death is another reminder of the dangerous task that British soldiers and those from other countries face in Afghanistan. Those soldiers serving in Afghanistan are attempting to bring democracy and peace to a troubled land and yesterday this soldier lost his life in attempting to achieve these goals," he said.

(BMcN)

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