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Afghan death toll equals Falklands

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 08 February 2010

Two British troops have died in an explosion in Sangin in Helmand province - and a third killed in Nad-e-Ali. It takes the number of service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 256.

Troops in Afghanistan as the UK death draws level with the Falklands war at 255. (Credit: Reuters)

Two soldiers, from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed by a bomb in Helmand province last night.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said: "It is with deep sadness I must inform you that two British soldiers were killed last night by an explosion near Sangin in northern Helmand.

"They were from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group, and were on a foot patrol bringing security to local people near Patrol Base Wishtan when the explosion caught them.

"Two of our comrades have been cruelly taken from us but their bravery and fortitude will not be forgotten."

Tonight the Ministry of defence announced the death of a third soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the counter-IED Task Force.

Comrades said the soldier died as he led a team conducting route clearance operations in the Nad-e-Ali District, in central Helmand Province.

Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "His indomitable courage and fortitude, the hallmark of his profession, will not be forgotten."

Their families have been informed.

The deaths mean 256 British servicemen and women have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.


Falklands war Simon Weston has spoken to Channel 4 News about the death toll.[

He said: "The numbers don't lie but the comparison is only about numbers; it's not about the style of fighting, the type of war that is being engaged in.

"I think we have to keep things in perspective. The guys in Afghanistan now face an unseen enemy. They're up against these bombs everywhere.

"What we're looking at as is a war of attrition, because it's who wears down first, who gives first. You very rarely beat someone on their own patch, in their own country.

"The problems lie much, much deeper and they are very complex dealing with the whole Afghan situation.

"With the Falkands it was so much more clear-cut. We knew what we were fighting against, we knew the enemy.

"They didn't want to die, they cared whether they lived or died - and they wore uniform. We fought in a very conventional conflict. And we were able to overcome them."

Thousands of British, American and Afghan troops are preparing for Operation Moshtarak, a huge offensive to drive out Taliban fighters from Marjah - their last stronghold in central Helmand.

 

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