Showing posts with label British Soldier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British Soldier. Show all posts

Monday, July 04, 2011

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: Missing British Soldier Found Dead

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: Missing British Soldier Found Dead
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 4, 2011: A British soldier who went missing from his base in southern Afghanistan has been found dead with gunshot wounds, the Ministry of Defence said.
Prime Minister David Cameron, who is in Afghanistan, was said to be "deeply saddened" after the body of the serviceman, from The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was found after a massive manhunt.
He had been reported missing from a military checkpoint in the early hours of Monday morning, and Taliban groups have claimed responsibility for killing him.
Nato spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick, said: "He had suffered gunshot wounds. His exact cause of death is still to be established and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death are currently under investigation.
"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
Downing Street sources said the Prime Minister was "deeply saddened" by news that the soldier had become the British armed forces' 375th fatality during the decade-long campaign.
The disappearance forced Mr Cameron to abandon part of an unannounced visit to the country so resources could be deployed to the search.
Before the death was confirmed, the premier admitted the incident was "disturbing".
But he said the "big picture" in Afghanistan showed cause for optimism, and the country was moving into a "new phase". He also reiterated that there would be no movement in the 2015 deadline for the UK's combat role to end.
"What happened was obviously a very disturbing incident," the premier said.
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: U.S. Soldiers In Search & Rescue Mission For A Missing British Soldier In Kandahar

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: U.S. Soldiers In Search & Rescue Mission For A Missing British Soldier In Kandahar
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - July 4, 2011: A massive air and ground search was under way this afternoon in Afghanistan to find a British soldier feared captured by Taliban fighters.
All other operations were cancelled as special forces, troops, helicopters, drones and spy planes were deployed across Helmand.
The Taliban today claimed to have kidnapped and executed the man after taking him prisoner following a fierce fire fight but the claim could not be verified.
He is believed to have left the Salaang checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand in the early hours of today after completing sentry duty. An Afghan soldier is said to have been the last person to see him.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a British serviceman based in Helmand had gone missing.
"An extensive operation to locate him is under way," it said in a statement. "The individual was based in central Helmand and was reported missing in the early hours.
"His next of kin have been informed and they will be updated as the operation continues." The circumstances in which the soldier disappeared from his base were described as"highly unusual".
The Taliban claimed to have seized him but then killed him after coming under fire.
Military sources disputed there had been a fire fight in the area and there was no independent verification of the Taliban's claims which in the past have been exaggerated for propaganda purposes. In London, senior officials were in an emergency meeting and ministers were being kept updated.
A spokesman for the Taliban told the news agency Reuters that it had captured the soldier and executed him in the Babaji area of southern Helmand. Qari Mohammad Yousuf said: "The soldier was captured yesterday evening during a fire fight.
When the fighting got more intense we couldn't keep him so we had to kill him." Reuters could not verify the Taliban claim.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox made a statement in the Commons this afternoon. He said: "I can confirm to the House that a British serviceman is missing in Afghanistan and an extensive operation to locate him is underway.
"The individual was based in central Helmand and was reported missing in the early hours of this morning.
"His next-of-kin have been informed and they will be updated as the operation continues so no other family needs to be concerned.
"I recognise there will be many questions but speculation on an issue of this nature is unhelpful.
"I urge restraint from colleagues and the media and assure the House that the UK and ISAF are taking all necessary and appropriate action."
In June 2009 insurgents captured American soldier Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl in south-eastern Afghanistan and have released videos showing him in captivity dressed in both Afghan clothing and in military uniform.
Last summer, two sailors from the US navy went missing in Logar province, south of Kabul. A huge manhunt was launched by Nato forces but the bodies of both men were found days later.
The reported capture of the soldier comes at a sensitive time when David Cameron is poised to announce more details of his plan to withdraw the 9,500 UK troops in Afghanistan from combat duties by the end of the 2014.
The Prime Minister is said to have bowed to military advice that major troop withdrawals must be delayed until the last moment in case the Taliban are encouraged to dig in.
The British military death toll in Afghanistan now stands at 374 since the start of the conflict in 2001
By Joe Murphy, Political Editor - London Evening Standard
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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