2 British servicemen killed by Afghan policeMay 13, 2012 - 18:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two British servicemen have been shot dead in southern Afghanistan by members of the Afghan national police force, the Ministry of Defence has said, according to BBC News. One was a soldier from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and the other an airman from the Royal Air Force. The MoD said the two had been providing security near a base in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province. Their next of kin have been informed. The number of UK military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 414. The men, who were serving as part of an advisory team, were killed on Saturday, May 12 as they provided security for a meeting with local officials near Patrol Base Attal. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said he believed one of the gunmen was then killed by his Afghan police colleagues, while a second escaped. Around 130,000 coalition troops are fighting alongside 350,000 Afghan security personnel against the Taliban-led insurgency. International combat troops have begun their withdrawal and are due to pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |