5 UK soldiers killed in 4 days in suicide attacks in Helmand province

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Afghan attack kills UK soldiers
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7443099.stm

Three British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, bringing the number of UK troops killed there to 100 since 2001, the Ministry of Defence says.

The men, from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, were on foot patrol near their Helmand Province base when they were killed in a suicide attack.

Another man was injured in the blast. Their next of kin have been informed.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup has paid tribute to the 100 "professional" and "brave" servicemen who have died.

He said he reflected on the most recent deaths with "both a sense of deep sadness and pride" as he asserted that the military effort was starting to achieve real change.

Sir Jock, who is Chief of the Defence Staff, said: "Every one of those deaths is a tragedy.

"Nothing can ever compensate for the loss felt by their loved ones and to them all I extend my deepest sympathies. "I only hope that the terrible hardship that they have been asked to bear can be eased by the certainty that in Afghanistan our forces are engaged in a most worthy and noble endeavour."

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UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan
 
Both men belonged to 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7451893.stm

Two British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Both men were serving with 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, a statement by the MoD said. Next of kin have been informed, it added.

On Sunday, three British soldiers, also from the Parachute Regiment, died in a suicide attack in Helmand Province.

The total number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 102.

The servicemen killed on Thursday 12 June came under fire as they were conducting a routine foot patrol near Forward Operating Base Gibraltar in the Upper Gereshk Valley, the MoD said.

A third soldier was injured in the attack and is receiving treatment at Camp Bastion medical facility.

Next of kin requested a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released.