A SOLDIER from York has become the city’s first victim of the war in Afghanistan, following an explosion in the notorious Helmand province, The Press understands. His family has been informed.

Three British troops were killed while on patrol near Sangin on Thursday, taking the number of British fatalities in the country to 199. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had yet to name the soldiers when The Press went to print last night, but sources have said one of the three was from a village on York’s outskirts.

His family, and those of his comrades, were informed on Thursday. The soldiers were due to be formally named by the MoD today. Of the three troops killed, two were from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles and one from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery.

Lt Col Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said Thursday had been “incredibly sad” for the whole Task Force and particularly for The Rifles Battle Group, with whom all three soldiers were serving. He said: “We will all feel the loss of these brave soldiers, but it is their family, friends and loved ones, as well as the men and women who served alongside them, who feel the greatest pain and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers.”

Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said: “The loss of these brave men, and of all those who have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002, is a tragedy.

“It brings us very close to the sad milestone of 200 fatalities in this conflict. We cannot help but reflect on the toll the mission has taken on our people and their families.” The Government has come under criticism over the resources available in Afghanistan. The outgoing head of the army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, drew up a “shopping list” of requirements and opposition politicians claim more helicopters would reduce the risk to troops on the ground.