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10/09/2009
Ministers Approved Journalist's Afghan Rescue
The final decision to order the operation to free a journalist being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan was taken by the Foreign and Defence Secretaries, according to Downing Street.
After a Cobra emergency committee meeting, David Miliband and Bob Ainsworth sanctioned the operation and the Prime Minister was consulted, a spokesperson said.
The Prime Minister praised the courage of a British soldier killed during the operation.
The soldier, who has not yet been named, was part of a NATO force which yesterday morning rescued New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell, who has dual British and Irish nationality.
Mr Farrell's Afghan interpreter also died in the raid. Gordon Brown sent his condolences to the families of both men.
The PM said:" Sadly, we were unable to rescue Stephen’s Afghan interpreter, Sultan Munadi, and we send his family our condolences. It is with very deep sadness that I must also confirm that, while acting with the greatest of courage in this most dangerous mission, one member of the British armed forces lost his life. His family has been informed and our immediate thoughts are with them. His bravery will not be forgotten."
The Prime Minister said the operation was carried out after extensive planning and thanked the Afghan authorities and NATO allies for their assistance.
He added that the government would continue to do "everything in our power" to free British nationals who are taken hostage.
(GK/KMcA)
After a Cobra emergency committee meeting, David Miliband and Bob Ainsworth sanctioned the operation and the Prime Minister was consulted, a spokesperson said.
The Prime Minister praised the courage of a British soldier killed during the operation.
The soldier, who has not yet been named, was part of a NATO force which yesterday morning rescued New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell, who has dual British and Irish nationality.
Mr Farrell's Afghan interpreter also died in the raid. Gordon Brown sent his condolences to the families of both men.
The PM said:" Sadly, we were unable to rescue Stephen’s Afghan interpreter, Sultan Munadi, and we send his family our condolences. It is with very deep sadness that I must also confirm that, while acting with the greatest of courage in this most dangerous mission, one member of the British armed forces lost his life. His family has been informed and our immediate thoughts are with them. His bravery will not be forgotten."
The Prime Minister said the operation was carried out after extensive planning and thanked the Afghan authorities and NATO allies for their assistance.
He added that the government would continue to do "everything in our power" to free British nationals who are taken hostage.
(GK/KMcA)
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24 June 2010
Road Crash Kills Four In Afghanistan
There was further tragedy for British forces this week as four soldiers have been killed in a road accident in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the soldiers, part of a police advisory team, were killed near Gereshk, Helmand province, on Wednesday evening.
Road Crash Kills Four In Afghanistan
There was further tragedy for British forces this week as four soldiers have been killed in a road accident in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the soldiers, part of a police advisory team, were killed near Gereshk, Helmand province, on Wednesday evening.
04 November 2009
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
20 July 2010
Afganistan Victims' Bodies Flown Home
The bodies of four British servicemen killed by a rogue Afghan soldier have been repatriated today. Major James Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, all of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were killed at their base in Helmand Province on Monday last week.
Afganistan Victims' Bodies Flown Home
The bodies of four British servicemen killed by a rogue Afghan soldier have been repatriated today. Major James Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, all of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were killed at their base in Helmand Province on Monday last week.
05 November 2009
Soldier Dies As Five Victims Mourned
As news emerged that a British soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles had been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan today, a possible Taliban link to the death of five soldiers shot dead by an Afghan police officer last Tuesday has yet to be confirmed.
Soldier Dies As Five Victims Mourned
As news emerged that a British soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles had been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan today, a possible Taliban link to the death of five soldiers shot dead by an Afghan police officer last Tuesday has yet to be confirmed.
23 June 2011
UK Welcomes US Troop Reduction In Afghanistan
The British Prime Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff have both welcomed the announcement that the US will be withdrawing 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. US President Barack Obama announced last night that 10,000 US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year and another 23,000 by the end of September 2012.
UK Welcomes US Troop Reduction In Afghanistan
The British Prime Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff have both welcomed the announcement that the US will be withdrawing 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. US President Barack Obama announced last night that 10,000 US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year and another 23,000 by the end of September 2012.
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