(British) Soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

Source: AFP

LONDON — A soldier was killed in a bomb attack in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday, bringing the death toll of British troops serving there since 2001 to 211.

The soldier, who served with the the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was caught in an ambush in Babaji District, central Helmand Province, said a ministry statement.

Britain has suffered a spate of losses since early July, when it launched a joint operation with Afghan troops against Taliban forces in Helmand to try to regain control of the southern province ahead of the August 20 Afghan election.

There are some 9,000 British soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

In recent months, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has had to fend off increasing criticism over the adequacy of equipment the troops have to work with.



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Obama end the escalation in Afghanistan. Bring the troops home.