British prime minister Gordon Brown today voiced his “disgust and horror” at the use of a child to target troops in Afghanistan, as he paid a surprise visit to troops on the front line.
A 13-year-old suspected suicide bomber killed three Royal Marines in Afghanistan, while a fourth died in a separate explosion.
The youth approached a unit south of the Sangin area of Helmand province yesterday with a bomb which detonated, killing two soldiers from 45 Commando and one from Commando Logistics Regiment.
Earlier in the day a Marine from 45 Commando received injuries as the result of a blast in the Sangin area. He later died of his wounds while being taken to the military hospital at Camp Bastion.
The next of kin of all the Marines have been informed and it is expected that the soldiers will be named today.
Reports suggest that in the second incident, the 13-year-old approached the unit pushing a wheelbarrow in which a bomb was hidden under papers.
The teenager died as a result of the explosion. It is not yet known if he was a suicide bomber or if the bomb was detonated remotely.
One Royal Marine died instantly, a second died before he could be evacuated and the third died at Camp Bastion.
Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for Task Force Helmand, described the incident as "an incredibly sad day for Task Force Helmand".
She added: "The tragic deaths of these Royal Marines have come as a huge blow to us all.
"Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things to go through.
"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to their families, friends and comrades at this terrible time."
Brigadier General Richard Blanchette of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said: "These servicemen died helping bring peace and security to the Afghan people.
"We have the utmost respect and admiration for the ISAF troops that operate in this challenging environment.
"Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of these brave servicemen
during their time of loss."
Conservative Party leader David Cameron said: "These deaths are a terrible reminder of the bravery of our troops who are serving our country. My thoughts go out to their families and friends at this tragic time."
Mr Brown paid tribute to the dead troops as he visited the frontline town of Musa Qala, which was recaptured from Taliban insurgents last year.
Following talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the capital, Kabul, Mr Brown announced that he had agreed the deployment of a British civilian task force to help tackle corruption and promote good governance in the central Asian state.
And he said the UK's 8,100-strong contingent of troops in Afghanistan was playing a vital role in keeping Britain safe.
"There is a chain of terror that comes from the Pakistani and Afghan mountains right to across Europe and can end up very easily on the streets of Britain," said Mr Brown, standing alongside Mr Karzai at a Kabul press conference.
"British people are safer today because we have our troops working with the Afghan people to act against terror."
PA