Afghan war claims third British life in three days

The soldier was caught in the blast near a check point in Nad-e-Ali, Helmand, during the ongoing offensive to recapture Taliban strongholds. Next of kin have been informed.

Despite the death British commanders said Operation Moshtarak was “well on track” and the insurgency was “levelling off” across the targeted area.

But in Kabul the Taliban dealt another blow to security when they launched a four-hour attack killing at least 17 people and wounding dozens more.

Up to nine Indians were killed, including government officials, as well as an Italian diplomat and a French national.

Three Afghan police were killed and six more officers were among the 38 people wounded.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “The Prime Minister condemns the suicide bomb attacks in Kabul in the strongest possible terms.

“Outrages like this will not prevent the successful conclusion to the international efforts to return Afghanistan to peace and security.”

Yesterday the family of the airman killed by a blast on Wednesday night paid tribute to the “best son, brother and boyfriend any of us could ever have wished for”.

Senior Aircraftsman Luke Southgate, from Bury St Edmunds, died just 14 days short of his 21st birthday.

He was caught in an explosion north of Kandahar Airfield.

The airman, from 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment, was killed by an IED (improvised explosive device) during a vehicle patrol outside the airfield.

His family said in a statement: “We cannot find the words to describe the tragic loss of our dear son Luke. He was the best son, brother and boyfriend any of us could ever have wished for.

“He died doing the job he loved and always wanted to do.

“He will be in our hearts always and our thoughts forever.”

Rifleman Martin Kinggett from A Company 4 Rifles, 19, was also shot dead on patrol on Thursday in Sangin, Helmand Province, while providing covering fire so an injured colleague could be rescued.

His family described the teenager, from Dagenham, in Essex, as “a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle and boyfriend”.

And the death of the soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, earlier yesterday brought the toll for British forces to three in three days.

A total of 266 British servicemen have died in the conflict.