Blast takes UK Afghan toll to 100

[Tezcatlipoca]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7443099.stm

Originally Posted by BBC News

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

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.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said his thoughts were with the loved ones of the 100 "courageous" personnel.

The injured soldier who survived Sunday's attack is expected to make a good recovery, the MoD said.

Mr Browne expressed his sympathy for the relatives, friends and comrades of the latest casualties.

R.I.P.



I've got an uncle in the Paras, who's been over to Helmand more than once. Always worry I'll see his name when I see stories like this.

The fighter pilots prog on ITV4 was good, tonight, imo, because it included the ground force , not just the pilots - I didn't realise how often they rotate out there ..

RIP to those whom have been killed while serving in any of our forces, especially overseas ..

[frogstamper]

This evening I was on line playing Call of Duty 4 and I teamed up with a couple of Scottish lads who are serving in the British Army, and are currently based at Canterbury. One of them has just had two weeks leave as his wife has just given birth to their first son, and both of them are expecting to return to Afghanistan in the next few days. Talking to these guys what struck me was how much they believe in what they are doing out there, and their frustration that we, over here, get to hear so little of the good things happening out there. Both told me the average Afghan has no desire for the return of the Taliban, and that most locals want to back the multi national UN force, but they are afraid the UN will not finish the job and that when they leave, once again their at the mercy of the Taliban. It was a real pleasure to chat with these guys, I told them that I was proud of what they were doing and that most people I know shared that sentiment, and that when they went back to stay safe and keep their arses down. All the best lads, you do Britain proud.

It would be more to the point if Mr Brown ensured that the injured get the best treatment in a hospital with other injured troops(good for morale).That they all get a decent pay rise to bring them into line with other professionals such as the police and some more than decent equipment.

We need to get more information on Afghanistan but were not going to get it because we have a media wanting to beat the government up over Iraq. The only thing those two conflicts have in common is they have british personnel deployed and thats it but thats not the fault of the forces and the media should start to cover the fantastic job the forces are doing in both operational areas it is not all doom and gloom. Coggy those things have been needed for a longtime and it will be a longtime before there is any chance of getting them and i really don't think it will ever happen under this government sadly.

[Osem]

Here they all are:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5121552.stm

and I don't suppose their families are much comforted by the weasel words of the Government.

[boroboi]

One of my mates is in the Parachute regiments in Afghan at the moment... hope i never have to hear this.

RIP lads, hero's of britain and freedom.

RIP to them, and sympathies to their friends and families.

A point of information - 90 out of the 100 have been in the last two years.

[SMG]

Originally Posted by frogstamper

This evening I was on line playing Call of Duty 4 and I teamed up with a couple of Scottish lads who are serving in the British Army, and are currently based at Canterbury. One of them has just had two weeks leave as his wife has just given birth to their first son, and both of them are expecting to return to Afghanistan in the next few days. Talking to these guys what struck me was how much they believe in what they are doing out there, and their frustration that we, over here, get to hear so little of the good things happening out there. Both told me the average Afghan has no desire for the return of the Taliban, and that most locals want to back the multi national UN force, but they are afraid the UN will not finish the job and that when they leave, once again their at the mercy of the Taliban. It was a real pleasure to chat with these guys, I told them that I was proud of what they were doing and that most people I know shared that sentiment, and that when they went back to stay safe and keep their arses down. All the best lads, you do Britain proud.

My sentiments, exactly. Well said.