Four British soldiers die in Afghanistan

Source: KUNA, 18-06-2008

LONDON- Four British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan after their vehicle was caught in an explosion, the UK Ministry of War said Wednesday.

The explosion happened east of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said.

Three of the soldiers were killed in the blast and another was pronounced dead at the Camp Bastion medical base.

The dead soldiers' next-of-kin have been informed.

The deaths take the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 106.

One of the dead soldiers was a member of the Intelligence Corps, the MoD added.

A fifth soldier wounded in the attack, which happened yesterday afternoon, is in a stable condition.
Brigadier General Carlos Branco, from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, said "Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the family and friends of the brave soldiers who were killed." "These soldiers died and were wounded trying to help bring peace and security for the Afghan people," he added.

Britains War Secretary Des Browne announced earlier this week that British troop numbers in Afghanistan will rise by 230 to a new high of more than 8,000 by next spring.