Two British soldiers serving with the international force in Afghanistan have been killed in an explosion.
A third British soldier and a civilian interpreter were injured in the same incident.
The Ministry of Defence said the men were taking part in a routine patrol in Helmand Province when their vehicle was hit. Next of kin have been informed.
The soldiers, both men, were from the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) and were patrolling 17km north of Lashkar Gah when their vehicle was caught in an explosion.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The third soldier and the interpreter were evacuated by helicopter to Camp Bastion for treatment.
The attack, which happened at 9.15am local time on Wednesday, brings the number of British forces personnel to have died in Afghanistan since November 2001 to 76.
Lt Col Bridget Rose, spokeswoman for regional command south of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said: "ISAF troops, and the Afghans who work alongside them, operate in extremely dangerous conditions.
"It is testament to their courage, resolve and commitment that they continue to bear down on insurgents bent on destroying the lives of the normal hard-working people in Afghanistan.
"This is a profoundly regrettable incident, and our thoughts are naturally with the families and friends of those who have died."
