Two British soldiers have been killed after separate incidents this week in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence confirmed today.
One man was killed in the Sangin district of Helmand province today, while the other died yesterday from wounds reportedly received in a Chinook helicopter crash in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand, on Tuesday.
The soldier killed in Sangin was serving with 21 Engineer Regiment when he was killed in a gunfight, the MoD said.
"He was shot by small arms fire whilst supporting the 40 Commando Royal Marines Battle Group," said Lieutenant Colonel David Southall.
"He died a sapper, doing his duty amongst his comrades as he sought to improve security for the people of Afghanistan. His courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten".
The soldier who died yesterday was from the Gurkha Reinforcement Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire). He was injured on Tuesday, reportedly when a Chinook helicopter crashed into a wall next to where he was sleeping.
The Sun said that the helicopter's blades hit a lookout tower, partially demolishing a wall next to where the Gurkha was sleeping. The paper reported that fellow soldiers had to dig for more than half an hour to free the trapped man.
He was treated at the scene before being flown back to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham, where he died with his family at his side yesterday. The Guardian
