Tagged with david wakefield
(Eds: Updates with nationality of soldier)
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — A British soldier died as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in southern Afghanistan on Friday, officials said.
The soldier from A Company 4 RIFLES, serving as part of 3 RIFLES Battle Group, died in an explosion that happened near Sangin, in central Helmand Province. The incident happened on Friday afternoon local time.
“He was on a foot patrol, part of a larger operation to provide security for the local population in Sangin, when the explosion happened,”said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for the Task Force Helmand. “His courage and the sacrifice he has made will not be forgotten.”
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released.
(Eds: Adds identity of British soldier)
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Six soldiers were killed in three separate incidents in eastern and southern Afghanistan on Monday, officials said.
Three of the casualties were from the United States, according to the NATO-led ISAF alliance. Two other soldiers from France and Britain were also killed, while the identity of a sixth soldier was not immediately released.
“Three ISAF service members from the United States were killed this afternoon in an engagement with enemy forces in southern Afghanistan,” a statement from the alliance read. No further details were immediately released.
More than 830 American soldiers have died in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began on October 7, 2001.
A soldier from France was also killed when his patrol was attacked in the Alasay valley of eastern Afghanistan, north of Kabul. The office of President Sarkozy confirmed the soldier was from France, and said another officer was critically wounded in the attack.
“A non-commissioned officer paid with his life for the commitment of France to the peace and security of the Afghan people and an officer was very gravely wounded,” Sarkozy’s office said in a statement. “The President of the Republic shares the grief of their families and loved ones.”
Sarkozy’s office said the president reiterated his support to the Afghan people and said he strongly condemns the “indiscriminate violence.” “[Sarkozy] expressed the determination of France to continue working with the International Security Assistance Force.”
Another soldier, from Britain, was killed in an explosion in the Musa Qaleh area of northern Helmand, in southern Afghanistan.
“It is with deep sadness I must inform you that this morning a soldier from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, part of the Counter-IED Task Force, was killed by an explosion in the Musa Qaleh area of Northern Helmand,” Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for the Task Force Helmand, said.
NATO also said a sixth soldier died in eastern Afghanistan, but it was not immediately clear which country he belonged to.
LONDON (BNO NEWS) — A British soldier was killed as a result of an explosion that occurred in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on Monday, the British Ministry of Defence said.
The ministry in a statement said the explosion occurred during a patrol in the Babaji area of Helmand Province on Monday morning. He was identified as a soldier from the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards.
“It is my sad duty to confirm that a soldier from 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards was killed this morning by an explosion in the Babaji area of Helmand Province,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for the Task Force Helmand. ” He died doing his duty as a British soldier, among his fellow soldiers, and we will remember him.”
The next of kin of the soldier has been informed, the ministry said. Further details will be released after a 24-hour period of grace.
