Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Soldiers died to save 'countless' innocent lives

Terri Judd
Friday 18 December 2009 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The lives of countless innocent civilians were saved by the sacrifice of two British soldiers killed alongside two of their Afghan counterparts, their commanding officer said yesterday.

Lance Corporal David Kirkness, 24, and Rifleman James Brown, 18, of the 3rd Battalion the Rifles, were manning a checkpoint protecting the busy bazaar in Sangin, Helmand, when they were killed by a pair of suicide bombers on a motorcycle at a vehicle checkpoint.

Two members of the Afghan National Army were also killed and a further two suffered serious injuries in the attack on Tuesday.

The following day, their commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson and his Afghan counterpart Colonel Wadood walked through Sangin bazaar in an act of defiance.

"We both felt strongly the need to make sure the people understand the sacrifices being made by Afghan and British soldiers to protect them and to reassure them we will not be intimidated by such acts.

"We feel deeply the loss of our comrades, Afghan and British alike but had it not been for their courage and bravery the potential loss of civilian lives in the heart of the Sangin community can only be guessed at," said Lt Col Kitson.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in