Marines killed in bid to clear Taliban lair

Two Royal Marines killed in an explosion in Afghanistan were trying to remove insurgents from one of their last remaining strongholds, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st May 2011, 07:00 BST

Marine Sam Alexander, 28, from Hammersmith, west London, and Lieutenant Ollie Augustin, 23, from Kent, were killed on Friday when they were caught in a blast from an IED (improvised explosive device).

The men, who were both in 42 Commando Royal Marines, were taking part in Operation Omid Haft alongside soldiers from the Afghan National Army (ANA) in Central Helmand.

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The MoD said the Marines and ANA soldiers battled enemy fire and harsh terrain for several days in a bid to secure the Kopak, Malgir and Loy Mandeh areas of Nahr-e Saraj.

Part of the mission was to secure the insurgent-held village of Loy Mandeh Kalay. Mne Alexander and Lt Augustin were searching a compound there when an IED exploded, killing them and injuring several others.

Elsewhere, a suicide attacker blew up an explosives-packed car yesterday at the gates of an Italian military base in western Afghanistan, killing several people.

The area was calm by midday. There was a second explosion about a mile from the base but officials did not yet know any details on that blast.

Related topics:AfghanistanTalibanLondonKent