11 Jul 2009

UK casualties rise in Afghanistan

9:55 am on 11 July 2009

Five more British soldiers have died in Afghanistan, bringing the total to 15 in the past 10 days.

The Ministry of Defence said on Friday they were killed in two explosions while on foot patrol in Helmand Province. Next of kin have been informed.

Britain has around 8300 troops in Afghanistan, largely fighting the Taliban in southern Helmand Province.

Britain has now lost 184 troops in Afghanistan since 2001 - exceeding the 179 killed in Iraq since 2003.