London - Britain Thursday reported the death of another soldier in southern Afghanistan, taking to 230 the total number of military fatalities since the conflict began eight years ago. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said a soldier had died in a roadside explosion near the town of Sangin, in Helmand province, Thursday.
The news came just a day after five British soldiers were shot dead by what has been described as a "rogue" member of the Afghan police force.
With 92 British soldiers having died so far this year, 2009 has already earned the sad distinction of being the "bloodiest year" for British troops since the start of the conflict in 2001.
The shooting at a secure army checkpoint of five soldiers involved in the training of Afghan police forces has shocked Britain amidst growing suspicion that the Afghan security forces are being infiltrated by the Taliban.
As the stream of funerals and repatriations continued in Britain Thursday, the widow of one of the recent victims called on the government to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
Amanda Binnie, whose husband Sean was killed in Afghanistan, said soldiers like her husband were sent to Afghanistan "to risk their lives for people who do not care if they die," the Press Association reported.
An opinion poll published Thursday showed that opposition to the war in Afghanistan has risen sharply.
According to the YouGov survey, 35 per cent of Britons believe all troops should be withdrawn, compared with 25 per cent backing that call just two weeks ago.
