British to send 140 more troops to Afghanistan; remains of 8 killed in action flown home

British to send 140 more troops to Afghanistan

LONDON — Britain is sending an additional 140 troops to Afghanistan to bolster the war effort there.

The Ministry of Defense says the soldiers will be transferred from a British base in Cyprus to the war zone.

The troops will join more than 9,000 British soldiers already in Afghanistan as an offensive against Taliban positions in Helmand Province continues. They are being deployed as the remains of eight soldiers killed in recent fighting are flown back to England on Tuesday.

British forces have suffered 184 casualties since fighting began in 2001, including 15 so far this month.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is being pressured to send more troops and armored equipment to Afghanistan.