UK has 'paid a very high price' in Afghanistan, says David Cameron

David Cameron said the UK's work in Afghanistan was vital (Reuters)

Prime Minister David Cameron said today that the UK had paid a "a very high price" for the work it was doing in Afghanistan after three soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack

However he stressed that the work was "vital" to make sure the country "doesn't again become a haven for terrorists".

Mr Cameron's comments came after the Ministry of Defence announced that the soldiers, from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, died while on routine patrol when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province. Next of kin have been informed.

Six others were injured in the blast but their condition is not said to be life threatening. Nine Afghans were also reported to be killed in the blast, but the MoD said they were unaware of any further deaths in the incident, according to the BBC.

The latest deaths take to 444 the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. Six have now died in 2013.

Speaking on ITV's Daybreak, Mr Cameron said: "Well we have paid a very high price for the work we're doing in Afghanistan.

"It is important work because it's vital that country doesn't again become a haven for terrorists, terrorists that can threaten us here in the UK.

"But today our thoughts should be with the families and friends of those that have suffered."