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Five British soldiers killed
Wednesday 4th November 2009, 9:39AM GMT.
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Five British soldiers have been shot dead by a rogue Afghan policeman who turned on them inside a military compound, the Ministry of Defence announced today.
The soldiers, three from the Grenadier Guards and two from the Royal Military Police, died in the Nad-e’Ali district of Helmand Province.
A major manhunt was under way today to find the gunman after the shooting.
Families of the victims have been informed of the tragedy, which happened yesterday afternoon.
Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield said today: “The soldiers concerned were mentoring Afghan police. They were working inside and living inside an Afghan national police checkpoint.”
“It would appear, and it is our initial understanding, that an individual Afghan policeman possibly acting with another started firing within the checkpoint before fleeing the scene.”
He stressed that the attack did not come as a result of any breakdown or fight between British and Afghan forces.
The gunman’s whereabouts were unknown but British forces were making every effort to find him, military officials said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today paid tribute to the soldiers describing their deaths as a “terrible loss”.
“My thoughts, condolences and sympathies go to their families, loved ones and colleagues. I know that the whole country too will mourn their loss,” he said.
“They fought to make Afghanistan more secure, but above all to make Britain safer from the terrorism and extremism which continues to threaten us from the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“I pay tribute to their courage, skill and determination. They will never be forgotten.
“It is my highest priority to ensure our heroic troops have the best possible support and equipment – and the right strategy, backed by our international partners, and by a new Afghan government ready to play its part in confronting the challenges Afghanistan faces.
“Our troops deserve nothing less. My commitment to them remains unshakeable.”
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Mr Brown. If you want to pay a tribute to our troops then do, but pull them out now! It’s a war that will go on forever and we cannot win and this government knows it. Our troops are loosing their lives for nothing and fighting a loosing battle. Good luck to them and i hope they all return soon.
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Bring ‘em home.
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For once is it possible a politician will actually do what he says. If yes then Gordon Brown should without delay give our troops the support and the best equipment available. Instead of talking a good job let the British public see action from the Government
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Our thoughts go to the families that the five guys leave behind.
Support from the general public for the armed forces has been outstanding and every deployed soldier will draw strength from that support.
As difficult as it may seem to most people the risks to life and limb are accepted by our armed forces and life is not taken for granted.
There have been over 200 British fatalities any more casualties during this conflict and unfortunately there will be more in the name of keeping terror from our streets. Removing the troops from Afghanistan now would be an insult to those that have already lost their lives or suffered serious injury.
The public have a right to voice their concerns but please lets not let this detract from the continued and much valued support that you give.
Looking towards my 3rd tour of Afghanistan.
LEST WE FORGET
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We are the invaders, Afghanistan and Iraq are being invaded.
There was not 1 single Iraqi or Afghan involved in 9/11 or 7/7.
Over a million Iraqi’s have died in Iraq alone since the war began, who knows how many in Afghanistan? Around 250 British troops killed since the invasion, just over 3000 American troops from America have died. Looking at the figures, it’s not fighting terror, but slaughtering the people of Afghan and Iraq, it’s not a war as a war is when there is more than 1 side fighting, it’s a massacre.
The media mentions every British or American troop killed but we never get to here about the Iraqi or Afghan deaths.
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5. Timmy
Over 3000 Afghan soldiers in the last year fighting for their freedom from an oppresive regime.
Enjoy your freedom of speach from the safety of your home.
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Suffolkwolf- I hope all our troop stay well and you are quite right about what you say if we pull out.
My concern is how many more have to die? You can’t win and I think even your commanders know this. If you pull out it won’t make any difference to terrorism over here. The homeland security services have foiled more plots than they tell us about every week. So if we are winning the war against terrorism how come MI5 and 6 are still struggling to stop terrorism on our shores.
Casualties are light really compared to the Falklands war fought over a few months, although we don’t want any. I wish you luck in your next tour although why anyone would look forward to it beats the hell out of me, but i am glad there are people out there like you. GOOD LUCK LADS.
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suffolkwolf, it is us who are going around the world forcing our oppressive regime onto third world countries.
The real terrorists are the politicians wearing dark suits in our very own country, just like America.
Look at the WMD’s regarding Iraq and Saddam Hussein, it was all make believe to get public backing for an invasion.
The only weapons Saddam Hussein ever had were the weapons and technology sold to him by the UK and USA amongst others when the UK and USA were Saddams buddies.
The Afghans we are butchering are the same Afghans that the UK and USA praised during the cold war.
Iran and Pakistan next, it’s funny how no-one is invading the UK or USA, it is us doing all the invading. Who are the real terrorists?
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Timmy
why don’t you come and say all that in front of the proud members of the public and families who line the streets of Wootton Bassett every time one of our guys comes home in a coffin.
It must be so easy running the World from your college or Uni dorm hey. I think most people are well aware the reasons for going to Iraq were clouded & possibly unjustified and that the people of the UK & the US were lied to. Fine, and finally there is a enquiery being conducted, but this is not the forum to spout the rubbish you’re coming out with & that we’ve heard over and over again. This is for people who may wish to share their condolences with & pay their respects to the families of these 5 brave guys who, all volunteered to serve their country…and defend the freedom you’re so eloquently and tactfully using right now. Tell me what you’ve ever done for anybody other than yourself. What have you ever volunteered for?
What our troops, whether they’re Army, Air Force or Navy/Marines are going through is the real thing and not some game on your PS3 or X-Box.
It’ll be another sad day here at RAF Lyneham when these 5 guys come home.
Suffolkwolf
Take care brother and fly the flag for the mighty Wolves.
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Number 6, why don’t the British Government go to war with Zimbabwe?
We are not there for the people of Afghanistan or Iraq, but there to bleed their resources dry, oil, opium, etc whilst at the same time slaughtering the people of those lands.
Timmy you are quite correct, it’s not a war but a massacre, my thoughts are with the families of the murdered Afghan and Iraqi people.
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Bush started the war because someone told him thats the place to start an act of revenge for the twin towers. We as good little yank loving people followed like the sheep we are. Now we are getting killed and for what? Nothing and it will be a poilitical vietnam.
Forgive my synical attitude but as Northern ireland closes and our troops have nothing to do a new war is conveniently started. Plenty of money for the industry of war and munitions. People getting rich off families sufferings.
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Zoff2304
What exactly do you want me to say to the public and family members who line the streets of Wootton Basset waiting for our soldiers coming back in coffins?
If most people are aware of the lies regarding the Iraq war as you claim, why do you try and accuse me of sprouting rubbish for mentioning the fact that over 1 million Iraqis have been slaughtered unjustly? Do you realise the murdered Iraqis also have families?
I would also like to inform you zoff2304, that this is not a forum as you seem to think but a comments section of a E & S article and it is not you who dictates what the nature of the messages posted are, okay?
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do we learn nothing from history? we have never won a gerilla war ie korea/northern ireland/iraq/
the list is endless.
shame on you tony blair/gordon brown
god bless all our soldiers and bring them back safe and sound
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7. Brian
Sorry for the confusion, i didnt mean that i was looking forwards to going just that there was yet another tour.
Timmy
We are not butchering anyone in Afghanistan. The soldiers of this country are everyday guys and girls not robots or machines. I have helped rebuild some of the schools that now educate girls. The same schools that previously were not allowed. I have helped source fresh water wells and the pumps to provide villages with a clean source of water. I have personally removed a father and his six daughters from a battle between Taliban and Afghan forces and seen them re housed.
If you weren’t aware it is the Afghan forces that lead most of the operations within their own country, we offer the support and our ability.
The people of Afghanistan are a proud and resourceful race that deserve the opportunity to live in peace with out being oppressed.
I will go to Afghanistan as many times as i am called for, if either you or Larry wish to join me and find out the truth with your own eyes then please feel free.
LEST WE FORGET
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10 Larry
I don’t know why not Zimbabwe, maybe you should ask the government that you have the ability to vote for and not one you are forced to tolerate.
Oh and there is no oil in Afghanistan and as for opium, there are enough lunatics bringing narcotics into the country. We are trying to stop it.
Come and join me and see for yourself, that way you would be able to form a balanced opinion. Its not quite as comfotable as you may be used to though.
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zoff2304, if ever you get the chance, then please express to all the people of wooton bassett how proud i am off them for their kindness and sincerity in lining the streets to receive home the coffins of our troops, who have been killed doing their duty. i am sure that i speak for the vast majority of the people of our country, irrespective of race or religion, when i say this. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF SUTTON BASSETT.
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Suffolkwolf, you say you are in Afghanistan to help rebuild the country, but what you fail to mention is it was us, along with America that destroyed Afghanistan in the first place.
You say you personally removed a father and his 6 daughters from a battle between Taliban and Afghan forces, what you fail to understand is that the Taliban are Afghans. The Taliban are Afghans that have never,ever, attacked anyone outside of Afghanistan, unlike the American and British forces that go around the world attacking third world countries.
There are many Oppressive regimes around the world to which we along with America turn a blind eye.
Finally I am not joining you in a unjust war we cannot win, to be used as cannon fodder by the Government, to kill or be killed. When the people in Government begin to send their children to do some of the fighting and dying and the UK is being invaded, then maybe I will join you.
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Timmy
the British Forces have done alot of good in both Iraq & Afghanistan and strive to limit civilian casualties as much as possible, but that can be a bit difficult when the enemy are cowards that use their own people to hide behind.
And in answer to your question, yes I do realise that Iraqi families have suffered and lost loved ones. I’ve been there….have you or are you just watching CNN & Sky News.
I never said you couldn’t have an opinion. What I said was that maybe this isn’t the right place as people who genuinely care about these families may not wish to get into a political discussion about the rights and wrongs of the Iraq war.
I’m not dictating what can and can’t be said either but you clearly want to as you appear to be unable to accept that there is another side to the story, that is being given by people who know. Not everyone’s opinion is the same as yours and whether you like it or not you need to accept that.
Johndee
check you’re history again. You will find that we British are the only nation to win a guerilla war. It took a 12 long years between 1948 & 1960 to be exact and it was in a tiny little place now known as Malaysia Read about it. It was a blue print that should have been followed by the French & Americans in Vietnam and the Belgians in the Congo.
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Zoff2304
Unfortunately when you are dropping bombs from warplanes flying overhead, it is very difficult to limit civilian casualties, as a result over a million Iraqis have been slaughtered, who knows how many Afghans?
The argument you use of the enemy being cowards and hiding amongst innocent people is the same excuse the Nazi’s used in world war 2 to destroy village after village, it is just that, an excuse in a very poor attempt to try and justify their criminal actions.
I am very aware that not everyones opinion is the same, there are people like me that want to see peace and others that try and justify ongoing war and ignore the 1 million+ Iraqis murdered which to me is unjustifiable since we all found out the WMD’s that Saddam supposedly had were all a pack of lies.
You need to accept there will always be people that speak out against injustice, murder and brutality, no matter what side it comes from.
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Wow, what a simplistic little world you live in Timmy.
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timmy theres a little island in the pacific just waiting for you
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Dear me Timmy!! Thanks to our brave service men and women people like you are allowed the freedom of being able to speak your mind. My first reaction reading articles such as this is to bring all of our troops home so no more are killed, however I have not been there, I know very little of the fantastic work being carried out by the troops and developments made to help the afgan people! Suffolkwolf gives an opinion based on facts that he has seen and experienced and it is blindly obvious how dedicated our troops are to the cause they fight.. To basically label our troops murderers and mock the example of helping an Afghan family is disgraceful. Where to you think most of the Taliban threat to the country comes from? Yes Afghanistan where thousands of British born Afghans and pakistan men fight our troops before coming back and claiming benefits from the british government. I suppose Timmy likes to welcome our troops home like the disgraceful parade in Luton! God bless our soldiers
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Timmy
to compare the British Forces to the Nazi’s just proves what a simple minded, ill informed nuckle dragger you are
End of
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Zoff2304
Don’t try and mix my words up, I said the argument you tried to use was the same argument the nazi’s used to try and justify their actions or do you have trouble reading/thinking?
p.s nuckle is spelt Knuckle*
Mart
No-one is fighting for my freedom, the Government are sending our troops half way around the world to slaughter people. We are the invadERS not the invadED.
What is this taliban threat to our country you mention? As I posted above, the taliban have never, ever attacked anyone outside of Afghanistan, are you aware of this fact?
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