Two Scots soldiers have died in Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the two men, members of the Royal Scots Borderers, died as a result of an explosion near Sangin, in Helmand province, on Sunday.
They were on foot patrol when they were killed by an improvised explosive device. The soldiers' next of kin have been informed.
Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield said: "It is with deep sadness I must inform you that two British soldiers were killed last night by an explosion near Sangin in northern Helmand.
"They were from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group.
"They were on a foot patrol bringing security to local people near Patrol Base Wishtan when the explosion caught them.
"Two of our comrades have been cruelly taken from us, but their bravery and fortitude will not be forgotten."
A total of 255 British servicemen and women have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. The two deaths brings the UK death toll in the conflict level with that of the 1982 Falklands War.
The soldiers were from Bravo Company, which has been based with the 3 Rifles battle group in Helmand since October last year. The company comprises 116 men based at Forward Operating Base Wishtan.
Hundreds of their comrades from the 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland are likely to be sent to Afghanistan in April. They will be responsible for the security of Kandahar Air Base and commanded by 4th Mechanized Brigade. They will also be involved in training the Afghan National Army.
The Royal Scots Borderers is the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS). The battalion was formed in August 2006 by the amalgamation of the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers infantry regiments. they are based at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh.
The two deaths come just before a major Nato-led offensive gets under way. The operation, to clear insurgents from the southern town of Marja in Helmand province, is expected to be one of the largest counter-insurgency operations since the Afghan conflict began in 2001.
Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth warned of casualties among coalition troops, saying on Sunday: "Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations.
"This is not in any way a safe environment and it doesn't matter how much kit and equipment we provide for people. We can never entirely make these operations risk-free," he added.
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