Afghan National Army gunman kills two British soldiers at Helmand HQ

A ROYAL Marine and a soldier have been shot dead by an Afghan National Army gunman, as part of a deadly day for coalition forces.

Afghan military leaders said it was unclear whether the gunman was acting alone or had been “influenced by the enemy”.

The Britons – a Marine and a Adjutant General’s Corps soldier – were serving as part of Task Force Helmand when the ANA soldier opened fire at the gate of the British headquarters in Lashkar Gar city.

Another Nato service member was killed in the east of the country, apparently by an Afghan police officer.

Speaking about the deaths of the two British personnel, ANA Brigadier General Sherin Shah said: “The incident is still under investigation and it is unclear if the action was planned or influenced by the enemy or if he acted alone.

“It is with the deepest regret that two Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) soldiers who came to our country to provide security are now dead.”

A third member of the coalition forces – who is not British – was also killed by Afghan police at a checkpoing in eastern Afghanistan, Nato said last night.

The attack appears to be the latest in a string of attacks in which members of the Afghan security forces have opened fire on international allies. Five British soldiers were killed by a rogue Afghan policeman in November 2009. The gunman opened fire on the men in a military compound in Nad e-Ali before fleeing. The Taleban later claimed responsibility.

Such attacks have become increasingly common in recent months, particularly since the burning of copies of the Koran at a US base in February.

Fifteen Nato service members have been killed by Afghan security officials or militants disguised in their uniforms so far this year.

Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy questioned the procedures for vetting Afghan recruits. He said: “Since 2007, Afghan forces have attacked Nato forces, resulting in 75 fatalities, most over the past two years.

“In light of previous incidents, what new procedures have been implemented to vet Afghan recruits?”

Armed forces minister Nick Harvey said “force protection” was kept under review and added: “We have changed our procedures in the light of events, both recently and over a longer period of time.”

Mr Harvey said the decision to partner UK troops with Afghan forces involved “a considerable degree of risk” but “this is a risk that the last government was right to compute that it is worth taking”.