Afghanistan roadside bomb kills three British soldiers

Three British soldiers have died in Afghanistan after their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Helmand, the Ministry of Defence said. The soldiers were from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Next of kin have been informed. Six other soldiers were also injured after the bomb blast on Tuesday. Prime Minister David Cameron said the country had paid a "very high price" for its work in Afghanistan. He added: "It is important work because it's vital that country doesn't again become a haven for terrorists, terrorists that can threaten us here in the UK. "But today our thoughts should be with the families and friends of those that have suffered." 'Great loss' The number of UK service personnel to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 is now 444, with the latest deaths bringing the total of British troops killed in Afghanistan this year to six. The soldiers were travelling in the heavily armoured Mastiff vehicle on a routine patrol in the district of Nahr-e Saraj when the blast happened. The MoD says the three soldiers were evacuated by air to the military hospital at Camp Bastion but died of their injuries. The spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Richard Morgan, said: "Their deaths come as a great loss to all those serving in Task Force Helmand. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to their family and friends at this difficult time." Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said the armed forces "deserve our deepest gratitude and respect for the job they do in some of the most difficult and trying circumstances imaginable". An MoD spokesman said the incident underlined the threats faced by British personnel as they continued to hand over security operations to their Afghan counterparts, ahead of UK combat operations concluding by the end of next year. It said security in Helmand was improving, with Afghan forces now responsible for the bulk of the province - but that the environment in which UK troops operated remained "risky and dangerous including the threat of improvised explosive devices and insurgent attack".Read More HERE   R.I.P.