British Death Toll in Afghanistan Hits 100 As Three Soldiers Are Killed

Three soldiers have been killed in a suicide attack in southern Afghanistan, taking the number of British military personnel killed in the country since 2001 to 100.

The men, from 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, were on a routine foot patrol near their base in the upper Sangin valley in Helmand province when they were struck by an explosion.

Four soldiers were injured in the attack and evacuated to Camp Bastion for treatment.

One was pronounced dead on arrival and despite medics' efforts another two died from their wounds. Next of kin have been informed, the Ministry of defense said.

The MoD said the fourth soldier injured in today's attack was expected to make a good recovery.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of the defence staff, paid tribute to the 100 "brave and professional servicemen" who have died in Afghanistan.

He said he reflected on the most recent deaths with "both a sense of deep sadness and pride" as he asserted that the military effort was starting to achieve real change.

Stirrup said: "Every one of those deaths is a tragedy. Nothing can ever compensate for the loss felt by their loved ones and to them all I extend my deepest sympathies.

"I only hope that the terrible hardship that they have been asked to bear can be eased by the certainty that in Afghanistan our forces are engaged in a most worthy and noble endeavor."

He said previously lawless areas of Afghanistan now had the rule of law, more than seven million children were now in school and growing numbers of Afghans had access to healthcare.

He added: "Nowhere is the battle for the future of Afghanistan more pressing than in Helmand, the focus of the British effort, where UK forces have magnificently taken the fight to the Taliban and put them on the back foot.

"Make no mistake, the Taliban influence is waning, and through British blood, determination and grit, a window of opportunity has been opened.

"The international community is starting to grasp this opportunity, and throughout the province the indications are promising, with the green shoots of development emerging from Musa Qala in the north of the Sangin valley to Garmsir in the south.

"But much of this progress could quickly unravel without a continuing and energized international commitment.

"Our armed forces are resolute in doing what their country asks of them.

"These deaths, though hard to bear, remind us all of the extraordinary sacrifices they and their families make on our behalf - and of the price of failure if we falter in Afghanistan. We continue to owe them a great debt of gratitude."

The defence secretary, Des Browne, expressed his sympathy for the relatives, comrades and friends of the three soldiers killed today.

"My thoughts at this time are also with the loved ones of each and every one of the 100 courageous members of the British armed forces who have now lost their lives in Afghanistan.

"They gave their lives securing freedom and stability, not just for the people of Afghanistan but, as the tragic events of 9/11 showed, for all of us. We will never forget them."

Browne spoke of the "awe and admiration" for the courage and dedication of British troops felt by all visitors to Afghanistan.

"As a nation we have always been supremely proud of our armed forces, and with considerable justification. Quite simply they exemplify the very best qualities of the human spirit.

"Their effect on southern Afghanistan in the last two years has been remarkable. They have transformed the heartland of the Taliban from an area of lawless oppression and terrorism to a place of democracy and development.

"We must never forget that this extraordinary achievement, which makes us all safer from the scourge of terrorism, has come at a very significant cost to our brave servicemen and women, their families and friends."

Conservative leader David Cameron said: "My heart goes out to their families at this time. We owe so much to young servicemen and women who risk their lives to fight on our behalf.

"The death toll having now reached 100 serves as a tragic reminder of how brave and courageous they are."

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "While the pain of the families and friends of the 100 brave servicemen and women who have lost their lives in Afghanistan must be unbearable to endure, I have no doubt that the cause for which they died is a just one.

"The consequences of failure in Afghanistan would be unimaginable - a boost to terrorists who seek to harm our way of life, an increase in hard drugs on our streets, and terrible instability in an already unstable region.

"For the international community to succeed in Afghanistan, it is essential that the troops on the ground have public support for what they are doing, in a mission which may take much longer than we imagined."

The three soldiers are not expected to be named until tomorrow night.

It was the biggest single loss of life by British forces in Afghanistan since August last year, when three soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment were killed when a US fighter aircraft dropped a bomb on them as they battled insurgents.

Of the 100 service personnel killed serving in Afghanistan, 74 died as a result of hostile action.

The remaining 26 died from illness, accidents, non-combat injuries or have not yet been formally assigned a cause of death.