Two UK servicemen killed in Afghanistan

Military and Security 8/2/2010 10:51:00 AM



LONDON, Aug 2 (KUNA) — Two British servicemen were killed in southern Afghanistan in separate incidents, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said Monday. A soldier, from 1st Battalion Scots Guards, was killed by small arms fire in the Lashkar Gah District of Helmand Province yesterday. A Royal Marine, from 40 Commando, died in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand Province yesterday. Neither incident was linked with the ongoing operation to oust Taliban insurgents from a stronghold in southern Afghanistan. Hundreds of British troops are taking part in Operation Tor Shezada, which entered its fourth day today, the MOD said. UK troops and Afghan forces from 3rd Brigade, 215 Corps, are clearing insurgents from Sayedebad to the south of Nad-e Ali, in parallel to similar operations by the United States Marine Corps in northern Marjah. The operation, which translates as "black prince", started with soldiers being dropped from Chinook helicopters under cover of darkness last Friday.
The British death toll in the Afghan campaign since 2001 now stands at 327.
There are around 10.000 UK troops deployed in Afghanistan, the majority in the troubled southern province of Helmand, a hotbed of insurgency.(end) he.bz.
KUNA 021051 Aug 10NNNN


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