Afghan death toll passes Falklands
Tue Feb 9 2010 00:12:40
A British soldier has been killed by an explosion in Afghanistan as the UK death toll exceeds that of the Falklands War.
The soldier, from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the counter-IED Task Force, died as he led a team conducting route clearance operations in the Nad-e-Ali District, in central Helmand Province. His next of kin have been informed.
His death was announced after Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth insisted Britain must hold its resolve in Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defence would not confirm whether the soldier was involved in Operation Moshtarak, a major offensive against insurgents in central Helmand due to begin in the coming days.
On Monday, it was confirmed two soldiers from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed by an explosion in Sangin in Helmand province last night.
A total of 256 British servicemen and women have now died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.
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The death of a British soldier in Helmand brings the Afghan death toll to 256, more than that of the Falklands War.
