Four British Soldiers Killed

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the deaths of four UK soldiers in Afghanistan - including the first British woman to die in active service since the conflict began.

Next of kin have been informed.

The deaths - which happened when the soldiers' vehicle was hit by an explosion - take the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001 to 106.

It is the biggest single loss of life for UK forces in the country since September 2006, when 14 were killed during an RAF Nimrod crash near Kandahar.

Sky defence correspondent Geoff Meade said the woman - an intelligence officer - was the first British female to lose her life in Afghanistan. Six have been killed in Iraq.

Meade, with British forces in Afghanistan, said: "This is another sad landmark in the campaign.

"The news came this morning and was effectively confirmed by the foreign secretary David Miliband who spoke about British families mourning the tragic loss of their sons and daughters.

"What a grim time it's been - nine British fatalities in as many days."

Five soldiers from 2 Para, based in Colchester, Essex, were killed in two separate incidents last week.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the four brave British soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan and will be deeply mourned .

"They were in the most dangerous of jobs in the most difficult of circumstances. I salute not just their bravery, dedication and professionalism but that of all our armed forces.

"Our troops are the best in the world and fighting for the noblest of causes (Cocaine?)." Sky News