Five soldiers from 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment believed dead after explosion in Afghanistan
FIVE soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment are missing, presumed dead, after a blast ripped through their vehicle in Afghanistan.
The explosion happened in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, on Tuesday.
A sixth soldier from 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment also missing, presumed dead.
Further details, including the names and hometowns of the soldiers, may be released today.
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The families have been informed, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Kevin Shoesmith, who has been reporting for the Mail this week after he was embedded with British soldiers in Lashkar Gah, said: “The threat from insurgents is everywhere in Afghanistan.
“But many see Lashkar Gah, a built-up district, as reasonably safe.
“It was the first district to be ‘transitioned’ - in other words, Afghans are now responsible for providing their own security here.
“This tragedy will send shockwaves through Whitehall.
“It is a sobering reminder the insurgency, although weakened, is still capable of striking at the heart of efforts to stabilise this country.”
Kevin Shoesmith in Afghanistan
Afghanistan frontline: 'You don't have time to be scared – you don't want to let people down'
'Yes, we chose to be soldiers. But that does not mean we don't have feelings. We are not robots'
Comments
by smartguy1
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 8:25PM
“Send Cameron out there on the front line with his cabinet of millionaires and do a good talk like he does over here and get our guys back here where they belong.”
by thejuggernaut
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 7:12PM
“ssmith24870. you have taken the words right out of my mouth. i fully agree to what you say but i will go further and destoy iran as they supply the taliban with the arms and explosives. that has been proved also iran have given a top al qaida leader a safe house.”
by Maz666
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 4:46PM
“Deepest sympathy to all the families of the brave men involved.”
by IvorTwitch
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 4:24PM
“Vietnam was the first war that was fought by the yanks with the only objective being body count, this war is much the same with body count rising and will land up the same way with withdrawel and no good done.”
by IHeartBeV
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 2:11PM
“Not bothered about the politics of why and where...
Just be aware that this is our LOCAL regiment and there will be friends and family reading your responses. can't we just say 'so sorry for their loss' and offer symathy?”
by IvorTwitch
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 1:59PM
“Look lets get it right teh situation in Libya now is worst then it was under Gaddaffi with each town now being in self governing chaos and why because we stuck our noses into a country that deserves no help, this also applies to Afghanisten and Iraq and the future military campaigns in Syri and Iran.
But as long as a minority of the british public support these blood thirsty morons in power here and in the US we will continue to see life wasted.”
by ssmith24870
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 12:28PM
“if it was cameron's relation then would he bring our troops home , bring them home then nuke the place”
by Demonica666
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 10:44AM
“This is an absolute tragedy. My thoughts are with the families of these brave people. Whatever the politics surrounding our involvement in 'world policing', these men and women put themselves in danger daily. A sad day indeed for Yorkshire and the country as a whole. May friends and families find some solace in the knowledge that we are thinking of you all.”
by Yelrubsol
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 10:39AM
“When you watch the documentaries about Afghanistan, you often see the soldiers talking about the progress that they are making, "driving the Taliban" out. What they forget is that the Taliban are local Afghanis, so even if "progress" is made, the second that coalition forces (or whatever they are called) leave, then the Taliban will immediately fill that vacuum.
So the best that the soliders can ever do is temporarily improve the situation a bit, whilst getting picked off by snipers, hit by IEDs and suffer other awful incidents whilst in the line of duty.
If that's the case, then the isn't a compelling argument for them to remain there, is there?”
by len5ter
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 10:35AM
“whats it all about you ask! google it and youll find out simples.”