Ripon-based soldier killed in apparent "green-on-blue" attack in Afghanistan (From The Northern Echo)

Ripon-based soldier killed in apparent "green-on-blue" attack in Afghanistan

10:34am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter

A SOLDIER attached to a North Yorkshire-based regiment in Afghanistan has been killed in an apparent "green-on-blue" attack.

The soldier, from 28 Engineer Regiment, was shot dead by a suspected member of the Afghan National Army (ANA) yesterday at Patrol Base Hazrat in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced. His family have been informed.

The British soldier, who was attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, based in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is believed to be the latest victim of a green-on-blue attack - where Afghans turn their weapons on their coalition colleagues in Helmand Province.

Attacks of this kind have claimed the lives of all six British soldiers killed during the current tour, Herrick 17, and so far at least 54 international troops have died as a result of such incidents.

Announcing the latest death, the MoD said the soldier died as a result of small arms fire from a suspected member of the Afghan National Army, who turned his weapon on ANA and ISAF soldiers. He was killed by return fire.

Yesterdays insider attack takes to 439 the number of UK service members to have lost their lives since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.

Major Laurence Roche, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “It is my painful duty to report the death of a soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, who was shot and killed by a suspected member of the Afghan National Army at a patrol base in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

“This is an extremely sad day for the Corps of Royal Engineers and everyone serving with Task Force Helmand. Our thoughts are with the soldiers family and friends at this time.”

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