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13/11/2008
Two Royal Marines Killed In Explosion
Two Royal Marines have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.
The pair were from the UK Landing Force Command Support Group, operating as part of Task Force Helmand's Information exploitation.
They died in the Garmsir district of southern Helmand Province yesterday afternoon.
One of the victims is believed to be from Co Mayo in the Irish Republic and the families of both marines have been notified.
Spokesperson for Task Force Helmand, Commander Paula Rowe, said: "This is a tragic blow to us all in the Task Force, but our loss is nothing compared to that of their families and loved ones.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time."
Brigadier General Richard Blanchette of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to their family, friends and fellow soldiers.
"Their lives are irreplaceable to all of us who fight for the peace and stability of Afghanistan."
The deaths bring the number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan, since operations began to 124.
The tragic news comes as a BBC opinion poll revealed 68% of people questioned think British forces should be withdrawn from the war in the next year.
Britain current has around 8,000 troops stationed in the region, the second-largest foreign deployment after the United States.
The fiercest fighting has erupted in Helmand, which has been described as the most important mission by Defence Secretary John Hutton
Mr Hutton said insurgents in Afghanistan posed a direct threat to UK homeland security, and withdrawing troops would prove "a profoundly dangerous blow" to British interests.
See: Mayo Soldier Thought Killed In Afghanistan
(JM)
The pair were from the UK Landing Force Command Support Group, operating as part of Task Force Helmand's Information exploitation.
They died in the Garmsir district of southern Helmand Province yesterday afternoon.
One of the victims is believed to be from Co Mayo in the Irish Republic and the families of both marines have been notified.
Spokesperson for Task Force Helmand, Commander Paula Rowe, said: "This is a tragic blow to us all in the Task Force, but our loss is nothing compared to that of their families and loved ones.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time."
Brigadier General Richard Blanchette of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to their family, friends and fellow soldiers.
"Their lives are irreplaceable to all of us who fight for the peace and stability of Afghanistan."
The deaths bring the number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan, since operations began to 124.
The tragic news comes as a BBC opinion poll revealed 68% of people questioned think British forces should be withdrawn from the war in the next year.
Britain current has around 8,000 troops stationed in the region, the second-largest foreign deployment after the United States.
The fiercest fighting has erupted in Helmand, which has been described as the most important mission by Defence Secretary John Hutton
Mr Hutton said insurgents in Afghanistan posed a direct threat to UK homeland security, and withdrawing troops would prove "a profoundly dangerous blow" to British interests.
See: Mayo Soldier Thought Killed In Afghanistan
(JM)
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08 January 2013
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