Marines killed by Taleban

Published on Thursday 27 November 2008 21:03

TWO Royal Marines were killed by insurgents in Afghanistan yesterday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The servicemen, from 42 Commando, were taking part in a foot patrol near the town of Lashkar Gah in the southern area of the Helmand province when they came under sustained enemy fire. Next of kin have been informed.

Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for Task Force Helmand, said: "The loss of these two Royal Marines has come as a bitter and tragic blow to everyone in Task Force Helmand. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends and comrades at this time."

The incident comes just three days after another Marine, Alexander Lucas, 24, from Arbroath-based 45 Commando, was killed by a roadside bomb in the Kajaki area of Helmand.

On 12 November, two other Marines, Robert McKibben and Neil Dunstan, died during a patrol in Garmsir, Helmand.

Yesterday's attack brings the total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations, in 2001, to 128.