Military say 3 British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan; UK death toll now at 199

Military: 3 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan

LONDON — Britain’s military says three of its soldiers have been killed by an explosion in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

The Ministry of Defense says two soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles and a third from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery were killed when their foot patrol was hit by blast near the town of Sangin on Thursday.

The deaths bring the number of British service personnel killed in the country since fighting there began to 199.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Lt. Col. Nick Richardson said the day “has been an incredibly sad one.”

The ministry says next of kin have been informed.