London, August 16: A soldier who died in the UK from wounds suffered in Afghanistan has become the 200th British serviceman killed since the start of operations in 2002, the Ministry of Defence said.
The soldier, from The 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, was injured in an explosion while on vehicle patrol near Musa Qal’eh in Helmand Province on Thursday morning.
He died on Saturday at the Royal College of Defence Medicine, in Selly Oak, West Midlands.
The soldier’s next of kin have been informed.
A total of nine UK personnel have died this month as troops attempt to shore up security ahead of August elections.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has warned more lives will be lost, but said leaving was not an option.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the death of the 200th UK service personnel in operations in Afghanistan was “deeply tragic news”.
“Every death leaves a hole in a family’s life that will never be filled. We are hugely indebted to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and today my thoughts are with the families and friends of all those soldiers who have died in Afghanistan serving our country.”
But, despite one of the bloodiest spells for UK forces since troops began operations in 2001, he insisted that their work was still crucial.
“The best way to honour the memory of those who have died is to see that commitment through,” the premier said.
“Three quarters of terrorist plots against Britain come from the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
–Agencies–