Two more British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
(Corporal Rupert Frere, Ministry of Defence/AP)
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A soldier from the Welsh Guards – who have lost four men during Operation Panther’s Claw
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The MoD said that the incident took place as part of Operation Panchai Palang – Panther’s Claw – a major assault against the Taleban ahead of next month’s Afghan elections.
Lieutenant-Colonel Nick Richardson, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “These fine British soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice and their memory will live with us forever. We mourn their loss and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this very sad time.
“We know that their deaths were not in vain.”
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a 24-hour period of grace before further details are released.
Since Operation Panther’s Claw was launched in mid-June, 10 soldiers have been killed, including four from the Welsh Guards. It is the most sustained loss of life for UK forces in either the Iraq or Afghanistan campaigns.
The high casualties have been a bitter blow for the British force in Helmand, although with 3,000 troops from three UK battle groups engaged in the biggest offensive against the Taleban since 2006, fatalities had been expected.
A total of 178 British servicemen and women have now been killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001, just one fewer than in the Iraq campaign, which lasted six years. Most of the deaths in Afghanistan have taken place since 2006.
The first real signs of success from the operation have also begun to emerge with the announcement that Babaji, a Taleban stronghold fives miles north of Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, appears to have been seized. The Taleban are reported to have withdrawn from the town.
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- Have your say
If EVERYTHING is ART, then NOTHING is ART!
paul richard james, Hamilton , Canada
Well said Rory. Our troops are fabulous, the BEST in the world. Bless you all, you do a Great Job securing a safe UK.
JW, CA, UK
Given the opening passages to Sherlock Holmes wherein Dr. Watson relates having taken a bullet in Afghanistan, one wonders just when you Brits begin to understand the absurdity of sending troops to that sinkhole……Nothing changes evidently.
Terry Brennan, Buffalo, US
Kate, Newcastle , England
“We are still not yet America. People who serve in the Army are soldiers, not troopers. Michael Godier, ” — even in America they are called soldiers. he was a trooper because he was in the cavalry.
Your anti US bigotry is showing. US have fewer casualties doing more as they are better equipped
TrevorsDen, Wallingford, UK
It makes me sick everyday reading about one of our brave boys losing there life over there!!! none of our boys life are worth it for that land!! gordon brown..become a hero for once and bring our lads back!!! the public would rejoice
mark, swindon, wilts
Iraq war was based on lies told by our leaders, and the truth about Afghanistan will also surface one day,but the british did not question their leaders about Iraq and now its the same about Afghanistan. Being educated does not necessarily mean being sensible.
Asad, Lahore, Pakistan.
having served in Iraq I can honestly say that the story you hear in the media isn’t the full picture. I lost count how many times Iraqis on the street thanked me and asked us not too leave. My friends currently in Afghanistan say the same over there. Let the Army do it’s job.
Rory, London, UK
I feel sad for the young men losing their lives on a daily basis. With the might of the British and US armies, there must be numerous more lost on the other side fighters and civilian. To resolve the conflict we must understand why it started in the first place. Palestinean conflict needs resolving
hd, sutton, uk
Americans appreciate you and anyone else helping us out in Afghanistan. It angers me that more countries don’t jump in as radical islamic terrorism is a threat to all of us.
Sapphire, Venice, FL , USA
The fighting is completely pointless and unwinnable. We should withdraw all of our troops immediately. The West has got enough spy planes and satellites to be able to see whats going on over there. If the Afghans build any more terrorist training camps we can blow them up with bombs or missiles (without any loss of our soldiers lives). If they dont then we should leave them alone to get on with whatever way of life they choose.
Michael, Maidstone, UK
Having served 2 tours of Iraq I can honestly say that the medias version of conflicts abroad doesn’t neccasarily reflect the truth on the ground. I lost count of the times Iraqis thanked me for our efforts and begged us not too leave – My friends currently serving in Afghan say the same for there
Rory, London, UK
The Soviets executed the communist leader & invaded. They emptied the country-side of people by blanketing it with millions of heli-borne anti-personnel mines, destroyed the simple but effective irrigation system & tried to convert the survivors to communism. You can’t possibly compare then & now.
J, cambridge,
As for wounded Taleban fighters it is well known that they generally have good procedures for “Casevac”. Many will be treated near by or if they are near to the border with Pakistan then they will go over the border to be treated in Hospitals there.
Coalition forces have a duty of care as well
Carl, Eastbourne, UK
Sorry lads there is no money to buy the resources you need as Crash Gordon is giving money away, 1.9 billion in aid. Election now Brown has to go, we are the people we put them there and can take them out of power this is just not on. How many more troop have to die so that GB can look good at G8?
oliver, colchester,
At the start of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 the British fleet was short of manpower, ships and ammunition, now our ground troops are short of manpower, protective vehicles and decent weapons – the SA 80 is still inadequate. So, not much, has changed and governments have still learned nothing.
Tony Pugh, Preston, UK
The Russians spent 10 years there and lost 17000 men. Do we really have to do the same?
Mark, Leeds,
“That country is not worth one British life.”
What a backwards sentiment from someone who thinks ‘British lives’ are worth more than the ‘natives’ of the countries that we storm in to. Arrogant and ignorant, in equal measures.
Bella May, London, UK
Nick Clegg is sadly right. Our soldiers are paying with their blood as a direct consequence of Gordon not giving MOD enough resources to do the job properly. In adddition the political class got into Afganistan without thinking what is our stratergy & most importantly they didn’t have an exit plan.
Rupert, London, UK
No-one has ever “won” in Aghanistan , no-one ever will . It’s just one big money-making exercise for the armament companies . Young boys dying for the profit of old men in suits .
Dan, watford ,
That country is not worth one British life. I think we should pull out now. No good will come of this.
C, Nottingham,
Trooper is a cavalryman, a soldier is an infantryman, gunner is an artilleryman and so on. It’s nothing to do with Americanisms.
Mullarkian, York,
D Walker. While the Taleban may not be signatories to the Geneva and Hague conventions this country is. You can therefore stop worrying about Taleban wounded.
One must accept that soldiers will be killed in combat – they do. What is unacceptable is that their lives are thrown away
Tom, Northallerton, North Yorkshire
What’s the point of making these sacrifices trying to save a country from itself.
In a few years global warming will reduce this country to a wasteland. what’s the point?
The only reason we are there is to support the ego of our incompitant political masters.
Mr G, Leeds , UK
Michael Godier, Manningtree, United Kingsdom.
He is called a Trooper because he is the first rank in a Royal Armoured Corp regiment. Trooper is his rank.
My thoughts go out to these brave soldiers families and friends.
ian, northants, northants
Apathy. That is what gets me. If one contrasts the number of comments this is attracting with the attention given to the death of a pop star it is quite astounding. We have spent longer in Afghanistan than WW2 and the silence of the debate is deafening. Stick to “Strictly” as this is miles away.
Anton, OXFORD, Oxfordshire
God bless and keep you and your families, I hope the army will look after the families of the deceased and make sure they do not suffer financially. Their men gave their lives and they should be taken care of.
Janet, Manchester, uk
But Farukh they would then have to have the bottle to teach the right of it to the Taleban.We used to ,and still do lose missionary folk to this sort of task. And the Muslim charitable practical teaching the right sort of Islam missionaries are where exactly? Why should we pay? It should be given
Ed, Chelmsford, UK
Farrukh, Woking
1% of £2.5 billion really isnt that much. I think you miss the reason for the failings, its that we dont spend enough money on the war. Its a shoe string budget of £7 million a day, bear in mind Northern Ireland was £1 million a day in 1980’s money and you see why we struggle…
Ryan, Belfast , NI
Mchael: It is the ENGLISH lanquage. have you not heard of paratrooppers or British troops. Engage brain before writing.
Jonny B, Bishop’s Stortford, UK
L-C Richardson:
“…their memory will live forever… we know that their deaths were not in vain.”
The sad truth is that their memories will live only with their friends and families; and their deaths are almost certainly in vain.
Naive, adventurous youth – you deserve better than this.
Marc Oliver, Bouille Loretz, France
In other news 100 Taliban “freedom fighters” just got killed. Acording to most Afghans, they are also Soldiers fighting to rid the invaders…
RIP all killed unnecessarily!
jayil, london, uk
I hope the Americans appreciate the blood we are spilling for them. the only reason we are there is for them. It doesnt benefit the UK one single bit.
liam, aberdeen, scotland
My understanding is that it is not policy to reveal the numbers of Taliban killed. What does worry me is, how many wounded Taliban are being treated by our medics.
D.Walker, Burnley, England
Enough is enough. Politicians who act as if this is the 1st world war need to get the lads home. I am angry that the idiots in Parliament give us political rhetoric and just plain bull. Get those troops home!
Clive, Nantwich, UK
Imagine: you are fighting a WAR with companions dying around you (with deaths possibly being attributable to lack of troops) and back home there is talk of a reduction in Army battalions. I left the forces as a major in 07 because we are so overstretched. Government you must sort your priorities out.
Chris, Oxford, Oxon
Time the Government were truthful about the reason for our presence in Afghanistan – my guess is it is purely strategic because of the threat of Iran.
Robert El-Cid., Hull., East Yorks.,
Does anyone know why the surge appears to be causing UK casualties but of the thousands of Americans that have poured in we hear of none.Perhaps this isn’t being brought to our attention in the UK media outlets,or more likely the Americans have the right equipment and support that we lack, again!
Paul , London, UK
If we spent just 1% of the budget of this and the Iraq war working with educated Muslims to, educate other Muslims about the actual teachings of Islam, the taleban and their like would have had their ideology destroyed overnight. Instead we go in guns blazing, what do we expect?
Farrukh, Woking,
When is Euan Blair to be drafted to Afghanistan? Don’t hold your breath, after all his old man had nothing to do with sending troops to fight had he!!!!!
JohnBoy, Aquae Sulis, England
We are still not yet America. People who serve in the Army are soldiers, not troopers.
Michael Godier, Manningtree, United Kingdom
Thank you for serving with us.
Edward, Tampa, FL, USA
My heart and thoughts go out to the families of these fine brave young men..every British life lost is felt by the whole country. Can’t it be reported though how many the Taleban are losing?
kirk, Rotherham, UK
THE TIMES
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