Three British soldiers killed by Taliban a day after Nato takes control

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http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1209734.ece

Three British soldiers have been killed during a Taliban attack on a British vehicle patrol in northern Helmand. The men, all members of the Household Cavalry, died yesterday morning when their Scimitar light tanks came under sustained fire from insurgents using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and heavy machine guns. It was the deadliest attack to date on British forces in the south, and led to further concerns about the future of Nato's mission in the country.

Initial reports suggested two men had died and another was missing. But hours after the 7.30am attack, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that a third body had been recovered from the site, near the town of Musa Qala. Another British soldier was seriously injured during the ambush and evacuated to the main British base, Camp Bastion.

The deaths come a day after Nato took over command of operations in the south of Afghanistan, commanded by the British Lt-Gen David Richards, and underscored the hazardous nature of Nato's new mission.

"These tragic deaths underline the need for a clear strategy, with achievable objectives," said the Liberal Democrats' defence spokesman, Nick Harvey. "This is a vital mission, but with the head of Nato forces describing the country as 'close to anarchy', the Government must be clear about the challenges ahead."