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Three UK troops die in Afghanistan

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Great Britain
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Three British soldiers were killed Tuesday when their vehicle came under fire in southern Afghanistan, according to the British Ministry of Defense and NATO.

British forces were "involved in ongoing action against insurgent forces in northern Helmand Province" Tuesday morning when a "vehicle patrol was attacked."

Insurgents wielding "rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine guns" killed the three and seriously wounded another, the MOD said in a statement on its Web site.

Earlier, the British military reported two were dead and one was missing but presumed dead. The military later confirmed the third death.

Another British soldier was killed in a mortar fire attack in the Iraqi city of Basra of Tuesday.

"This morning's news from Afghanistan and Iraq is very sad. I know I speak for everyone when I say that our thoughts are with the families and friends of the soldiers who were killed and injured," said British Defense Secretary Des Browne, in remarks posted on the MOD Web site.

"Those responsible for the attacks on our soldiers in northern Helmand do not want to see security and prosperity brought to the local people," he said. "We cannot allow them to succeed, and we remain committed to seeing through our part in this vital international effort."

NATO sources said the Afghan attack took place around 7:30 a.m. in the Musaqala district of Helmand province. In May, al Qaeda forces briefly took control of Musaqala before British troops pushed them out.

NATO troops are serving in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force.

ISAF, which operates under a U.N. mandate, supports the Afghan government by maintaining a secure environment to facilitate rebuilding the country.

Journalist Tom Coughlin contributed to this report

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