Afghan armored vehicle blast kills 6 British soldiers
Source: Agencies |
March 8, 2012, Thursday
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SIX British soldiers were believed killed after an explosion hit their armored vehicle in southwestern Afghanistan, Britain's Ministry of Defense said yesterday.
The soldiers were on patrol in Helmand Province at the time of the blast on Tuesday evening. Britain's defense secretary said efforts were under way to recover the vehicle and identify the soldiers.
The deaths were certain to fuel calls for the acceleration of a planned withdrawal of all United States-led coalition troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. The war has become increasingly unpopular in the US and among its NATO partners in Europe.
Helmand has been the deadliest province for coalition troops since the Afghan war started over a decade ago. Most of Britain's 9,500 soldiers are based there, and it also has thousands of US troops.
The Taliban have fought fiercely for control of Helmand because it accounts for about half of all poppy production in Afghanistan. Poppy is the main ingredient in making opium and has been a significant source of revenue for the Afghan militants.
So far this year, 54 NATO troops have been killed in Afghanistan, including 38 from the US and four from Britain.
Britain has lost more troops in Afghanistan - 398 until yesterday - than any other country except for the US, which has counted at least 1,780 deaths as a result of the US-led invasion in late 2001.
"The six soldiers, five from the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment and one from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's, were on patrol in a Warrior armored fighting vehicle when it was caught in an explosion in the Task Force Helmand area of operations," said Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie, a spokesman for the British Task Force.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said it was "a desperately sad day for our country," adding troops in Afghanistan were paying a huge price.
"I do believe it's important work for our national security right here at home but of course this work will increasingly be carried out by Afghan soldiers and we all want to see that transition take place."
The soldiers were on patrol in Helmand Province at the time of the blast on Tuesday evening. Britain's defense secretary said efforts were under way to recover the vehicle and identify the soldiers.
The deaths were certain to fuel calls for the acceleration of a planned withdrawal of all United States-led coalition troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. The war has become increasingly unpopular in the US and among its NATO partners in Europe.
Helmand has been the deadliest province for coalition troops since the Afghan war started over a decade ago. Most of Britain's 9,500 soldiers are based there, and it also has thousands of US troops.
The Taliban have fought fiercely for control of Helmand because it accounts for about half of all poppy production in Afghanistan. Poppy is the main ingredient in making opium and has been a significant source of revenue for the Afghan militants.
So far this year, 54 NATO troops have been killed in Afghanistan, including 38 from the US and four from Britain.
Britain has lost more troops in Afghanistan - 398 until yesterday - than any other country except for the US, which has counted at least 1,780 deaths as a result of the US-led invasion in late 2001.
"The six soldiers, five from the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment and one from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's, were on patrol in a Warrior armored fighting vehicle when it was caught in an explosion in the Task Force Helmand area of operations," said Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie, a spokesman for the British Task Force.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said it was "a desperately sad day for our country," adding troops in Afghanistan were paying a huge price.
"I do believe it's important work for our national security right here at home but of course this work will increasingly be carried out by Afghan soldiers and we all want to see that transition take place."
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