Two British Gurkha soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Two British Gurkha soldiers were shot dead by a man wearing Afghan police uniform at a checkpoint in Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) said.

According to Xinhua, the two soldiers, from 1st Battalion of the The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were shot and killed at a checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, the MOD said in a statement.

However, the names of the deceased have not been disclosed. Various news reports said the families have been informed about the deaths of the Gurkha soldiers.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Laurence Roche, said: "The loss of these soldiers is a huge blow to the Royal Gurkha Rifles and everyone serving in Task Force Helmand. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow Gurkhas at this time."

Similar attacks have increased in recent months. Two British soldiers were shot dead at a checkpoint in the same district last month.

The number of British military deaths now stands at 437 since the country began its operation in Afghanistan in 2001.Britain has planned to withdraw most of its forces by the end of 2014. nepalnews.com