Another UK soldier dies after vehicle is hit by bomb in Helmand province

The 2nd Ghurka (2nd Battalion the Royal Ghurkha Rifles )and 125th UK soldier to die in Afghanistan was killed in an explosion yesterday when his patrol in the Musa Qala District of Helmand Province was struck by a bomb, according to the International Security Assistance Force.

The MoD said he was taking part in a routine road move when the vehicle he was travelling in struck an explosive device. No details have been released about the type of vehicle he was travelling in.

An MOD post from 18th September 2008 quotes ..."Jackal is a beast, an awesome piece of kit," said Royal Marines Captain Orlando Rogers on the eve of his first deployment to Helmand province."

Other units, including Gurkhas, (see pic) have been familiarising themselves with new kit during the five-month preparation:

"We have had an intense training period and we feel ready in all aspects," said Capt Rogers. "There's a lot of quality to the kit and we can have a personal choice. It's spot on. A few years ago kit was good. Now we have the best."

See - Saturday, November 15, 2008 The Jackal with the soft underbelly

UPDATE : D Telegraph Monday reports that it was an IED that caused the explosion.

The Daily Mail Monday reports that the Ghurka was travelling in a 25 ton Warrior tropp carrier - they explain that Warrior vehicles first entered service in 1988, but they have been overhauled and had their armour upgraded to meet the threat from Taliban and al-Qaeda bombs.

Together with the British Army Mastiffs, a company of Warriors are based outside Musa Qala, in Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, to ferry soldiers to and from the outposts, ringing the town.

Until recently they were largely considered "mine proof" says the Mail article, but they have learnt that, " at least three Warrior's have been damaged "beyond repair" in the last eight months as the Taliban bomb makers set ever bigger charges in British soldiers' paths." See Guradian report as well

See video as Warriors arrive in Afghanistan mid 2007 and also here

UPDATE Monday 17th Nov. Just discovered - Days of the Jackal: Supacat’s HMT Vehicles
02-Nov-2008 http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/british-uor-to-field-130-supacat-mwmik-patrol-vehicles-03404/

Further Update Monday the MOD have named the dead soldier as Colour Sergeant Krishnabahadur Dura