British soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan named

Wed Nov 4 2009 19:37:25

The five British soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan when a policeman opened fire at a checkpoint in the Nad-e'Ali district of Helmand have been named by the Ministry of Defence.

They are Warrant Officer 1st Class Darren Chant, Sergeant Matthew Telford and Guardsman James Major, all from 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards; Acting Corporal Steven Boote and Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith, both from the Royal Military Police.

Gordon Brown has insisted Britain must press on in Afghanistan, despite their killing.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons political resilience must match the resolve of the Armed Forces.

It follows controversial comments by former foreign office minister Kim Howells. He has said the attack strikes a blow at the heart of the strategy to hand over security responsibilities to Afghan police and soldiers.

Britain's Armed Forces have suffered the bloodiest year of action since the Falklands War. The death toll for this year in Afghanistan now stands at 92.

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