UK soldier killed in Afghanistan explosion

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British troops in Afghanistan

A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The soldier, from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, was killed while on patrol in the Kajaki area of Helmand province during Monday afternoon.

His next of kin have been informed of his death, which brings the number of UK soldiers killed in the conflict since 2001 to 244.

A spokesman said: "His courage and his sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Of the 244 deaths since the war began, 107 have happened in 2009 alone.

During the Christmas period troops were given an extra hour of free phone calls home, on top of their normal 30 minutes' weekly allowance.

Investigation

However, Christmas Day saw many troops in Afghanistan carrying out their usual front-line patrols.

Meanwhile, the bodies of three soldiers killed in Afghanistan - two in suspected "friendly fire" incidents - will be returned to Britain on Tuesday.

L/Cpl Michael Pritchard, 22, of the 4th Regiment, Royal Military Police, was killed as a result of "small arms fire" on 20 December in Sangin.

L/Cpl Christopher Roney, 23, of 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, died from wounds he received in a fire fight near Sangin on 21 December.

Both deaths are under investigation and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said no firm conclusions would be drawn until after the men's inquests.

The third body being flown to RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, is that of special forces soldier L/Cpl Tommy Brown, of the Parachute Regiment. He died as a result of a suspected improvised explosive device on 22 December in Sangin.

A private ceremony will be held at the chapel at the RAF base before the cortege passes through the town of Wootton Bassett.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8433153.stm

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L/Cpl Tommy Brown was the fourth British casualty in as many days

A special forces soldier killed by a bomb in Afghanistan on Tuesday has been named as Lance Corporal Tommy Brown.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said he died as a result of a suspected improvised explosive device in Sangin.

L/Cpl Brown was described as a dynamic and talented soldier with the "easy confidence of a natural leader".

The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 243, with 106 from this year alone.

L/Cpl Brown is understood to have belonged to the Special Forces Support Group, which assists the SAS and Special Boat Service.

The MoD does not usually release details of the age or home town of special forces members.

'Taliban re-grouped'

A regiment spokesman said of the soldier: "He gave his life for his comrades and the Parachute Regiment, both of which meant so much to him.

Lance Corporal Adam Drane's funeral

Funeral for war's 100th casualty

"His passing is a sad day for us, but every member of the unit is privileged to have known such a likeable, grounded and utterly professional man. We are deeply honoured to have served alongside him."

The spokesman added that the regiment's thoughts and prayers were with his family and friends.

L/Cpl Brown was the fourth British casualty in as many days.

Another British soldier also died on Tuesday. Lance Corporal Christopher Roney, 23, from Sunderland, who served in 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed in a fire fight near Sangin.

And on Sunday, Lance Corporal Michael Pritchard, 22, a Kent-born Royal Military Policeman who lived in Eastbourne, East Sussex, died as a result of "small arms fire" - also near Sangin.

The MoD said the Royal Military Police were investigating friendly fire as a possible cause of both of these earlier deaths.

No further information would be released until the conclusion of the inquests, it said.
Most recent UK fatalities

Total deaths 2009: 107

* Unreleased
* Christopher Roney
* Tommy Brown
* Michael Pritchard
* Simon Hornby
* David Kirkness
* James Brown
* Adam Drane
* John Paxton Amer

Updated: Dec 28 2009
Full list

The BBC's Peter Greste in Afghanistan said the relatively high casualty toll was partly because British forces were aggressively pushing troops out into smaller patrol bases in an attempt to drive the Taliban out.

He said the Taliban had, until recently, been forced back but had since re-grouped, resulting in daily gun battles and casualties.

Our correspondent said the 3rd Battalion The Rifles had had a "particularly rough time", losing eight men since deploying three months ago.

Meanwhile, the funeral of the 100th soldier killed during 2009 while on duty in Afghanistan took place in his home town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on Wednesday.

L/Cpl Adam Drane, 23, of the Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot in Helmand Province on 7 December.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8428391.stm

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