UK confirms death of 300th soldier in Afghanistan
June 21st, 2010 - 5:22 pm ICT by ANI
London, June 21 (ANI): The British Ministry of Defence has confirmed the death of its 300th soldier in Afghanistan.
According to a Sky News report, the dead soldier is a marine from the 40 Commando Royal Marines, part of Combined Force Sangin.
He died at the New Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on Sunday as a result of injuries sustained from an explosion in the Sangin District of Helmand Province on June 12.
Major Renny Bulmer, spokesman for 40 Commando, said: “Our thoughts are with his immediate family who were with him at the hospital.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It is desperately sad news, another family with such grief and pain and loss.
“Of course the 300th death is no more or less tragic than the 299 that came before, but it is a moment, I think, for the whole country to reflect on the incredible service and sacrifice and dedication that our armed services give on our behalf,” he said.
“We are paying a high price for keeping our country safe, for making our world a safer place and we should keep asking why we’re there and how long we must be there,” he added.
Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said: “Our Armed Forces take enormous pride in their role in Afghanistan where they are helping to provide security to protect our freedoms at home.”
“We remember everyone who has given their life in the line of duty and honour the significant progress they have helped to deliver in Afghanistan,” he added. (ANI)
- British toll in Afghanistan reaches 300 - Jun 21, 2010
- British forces hand over restive Afghan district to US - Sep 20, 2010
- 100th British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan - Jul 09, 2010
- British troops hand over Sangin to US forces in Afghanistan - Sep 20, 2010
- British death toll in Afghanistan surpasses Falklands war tally - Feb 09, 2010
- Taliban losing fight in Afghanistan, says Britain's top general - Jul 11, 2009
- Britain trains special teams to fight Taliban - Jul 11, 2011
- Two coalition service members, including a British soldier, die in southern Afghanistan - May 03, 2010
- More British troops ordered into Helmand badlands to rout Taliban - Jul 08, 2010
- Despite 100th soldier's death, British army seeks public support for Afghan war - Dec 08, 2009
- British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan - May 02, 2010
- Children being used by Taliban in Afghanistan: Report - Jul 01, 2010
- Four soldiers, three Americans and one Briton, die in southern Afghanistan - Jan 25, 2010
- Taliban kidnap British soldier in Afghanistan - Jul 04, 2011
- Two coalition soldiers killed in Afghanistan - Feb 15, 2010
Tags: air chief marshal, british ministry of defence, commando, david cameron, dead soldier, defence staff, enormous pride, immediate family, line of duty, minister david, ministry of defence, news report, queen elizabeth, queen elizabeth hospital, renny, royal marines, sad news, safer place, sir jock stirrup, sky news
