British Soldier dies as Afghan toll rises

London, July 8: A British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The serviceman from the Light Dragoons died in an explosion near Gereshk in Helmand Province on Tuesday night. Next of kin have been informed.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said there was "gloom" about the death tolls but also a "sense of momentum" about the operation.

The latest death, the seventh this month, takes the UK Afghan toll to 176.

In a speech in London Mr Ainsworth said each death was a "personal tragedy and also a is a tragedy for friends and family".

He said he would make sure the sacrifice of those who gave their lives would not be forgotten.

The soldier - who has not yet been named - was part of Operation Panther's Claw - a major assault against the Taliban.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "This soldier gave his life for the security of his own country and the freedom of the Afghan people -there is no greater sacrifice than this.

"Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go to his family and loved ones."

The Light Dragoons, based in Norfolk, are among 700 UK troops taking part in Panther's Claw, launched two weeks ago in Helmand.

A much larger offensive in the province is being fought by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops.

The joint campaign is designed to drive the Taliban out of the region and make it safe for presidential elections due next month.

In his speech Mr Ainsworth set out the nature of the campaign in Afghanistan, and stressed winning the fight against the Taliban is in the UK's national interest.

Doubts cast

Earlier, in a BBC interview, Mr Ainsworth admitted there was "gloom and worry" about the British death toll in Afghanistan, but insisted troops on the ground had a sense of momentum.

He also rejected comparisons with the Vietnam conflict, which lasted more than 15 years and cost the lives of nearly 60,000 US servicemen.

Mr Ainsworth told the BBC: "I don't accept that. We have made considerable progress."

He added: "There is, of course, gloom and worry back here in London with the numbers of people that we've lost. If people weren't [worrying], there would be something seriously wrong with them.

"But when you go out to Afghanistan, as I did last weekend, there is a very real sense of momentum."

Mr Ainsworth comments came after UK casualties in Afghanistan showed a steep rise.

The seven deaths this month alone include Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who became the most senior Army officer to be killed on operations since the Falklands War.

Another British soldier from 22 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, died on Monday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan's southern Zabul Province. He too is yet to be named. (BBC)

Last Updated : 2009-07-08 11:05:50 | Text Size :

Print

E-mail

Name
Email Address
Comments

If you can't read the word, click here
Type word shown as above(to stop spam):

* ALL CAPS LETTER