Tonight:
5°c
A Taliban commander blamed for the death of two British troops in Afghanistan has been killed by helicopter gunners while trying to flee on a motorbike, the Ministry of Defence said today.
Mullah Mansur, who British forces believe organised a suicide attack that killed Sergeant Ben Ross of the Royal Military Police and Gurkha Corporal Kumar Pun last month, was shot by a British Apache's 30- calibre machinegun. He had been cornered in Helmand province yesterday. He is also believed to have been behind another suicide attack last month that killed 13 Afghan police and civilians and a similar blast in March that claimed the lives of nine Afghan policemen and two civilians.
Announcing his death today, Lt Col Nick Richardson, the spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said Mansur had been "one of the most dangerous men in Helmand" and had been killed in a "successful precision strike".
He added: "The attacks he helped plan and execute have probably killed or wounded hundreds of people."
Reader views (9)
Why is the $1 dollar a day Taliban killing the Brits in such numbers? Have the taliban got helicopters??
- Daniel, London, 17/08/2009 12:23
Report abuse
You see, that's what the military is all about. JOB SATISFACTION! Well done lads!
- Dave, Chesterfield, England., 29/07/2009 11:04
Report abuse
500 more Apache's for our troops and we would see a big difference.
- Albert Hall, hove england, 22/07/2009 14:03
Report abuse
well done lads, good shot, upmost respect for you all
- Tracey, northants. UK, 22/07/2009 10:09
Report abuse
Good shooting!
- Mike, Denver, USA, 22/07/2009 09:09
Report abuse
well done those gunners; I hope it hurt him,... a lot.
- Kedge, marlboro wilts, 22/07/2009 09:09
Report abuse
Good shot. Keep up the good work.
- Cuddly Duddly, Cuffley, UK, 22/07/2009 09:09
Report abuse
Well done to all concerned!
- Ab, london, 22/07/2009 09:09
Report abuse
The Taleban reaps what is sows !
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 22/07/2009 09:09
Report abuse
