Renegade Afghan kills three British soldiers

A huge manhunt was under way in southern Afghanistan last night after the killer turned his weapons on soldiers he had been working alongside from the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles at a base in Helmand Province, near its provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

One British soldier was apparently shot dead as he slept and the other two were killed with a shoulder-mounted grenade launcher in the base's command centre in what the Ministry of Defence said was a "suspected pre-meditated attack". The families have been informed.

Last night, the Taliban claimed the Afghan soldier had joined its insurgency. On its website, Afghan Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said the rogue soldier had fled to a safe place protected by the Taliban.

Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the attack but stressed it would not change Britain's long-term strategy of working alongside the Afghan army.

"This is an appalling incident and needs an immediate and urgent investigation," he said.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai sent a letter of condolence to Britain offering apologies for the attack, which represents another serious blow to Nato efforts to build up Afghanistan's forces.

A Royal Marine from 40 Commando was shot dead last night while on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand, the Ministry of Defence said. The victim's next of kin have been informed.