UK soldier dies in Afghan attack

A UK soldier was killed and two more hurt when a suicide bomber drove a car into a Nato convoy in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The attack on the outskirts of Kabul on Monday also killed three civilians and wounded 12 more, Afghan police say.

The British soldier, who died from his injuries after being evacuated to hospital, was from 16 Signal Regiment. His next of kin have been informed.

Some 115 UK personnel have now died on operations in Afghanistan since 2001.

The MoD said the other two British soldiers were also taken to a military hospital after the incident, which took place around 1600 local time.

A spokeswoman said: "It is with deep regret that we must announce that a soldier from 16 Signal Regiment has died and two more from the same regiment wounded in a suicide attack on a vehicle patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan."

She added: "Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and comrades."

Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said: "We denounce this heartless act and I offer our condolences and sympathies to the families of those killed and injured.

"This attacker's target might have been ISAF soldiers, but he only succeeded in proving the insurgents' utter disregard for the lives of the Afghan people.

"Acts such as this will not deter ISAF in our commitment to help Afghans create a better Afghanistan."

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