London (ANTARA News/AFP) - Two British soldiers were killed by a homemade bomb while on patrol in southern Afghanistan, defence officials in London said Saturday.

The Royal Marines, from 42 Commando, were on an operation on Friday with Afghan forces to clear parts of Nad-e Ali district in Helmand province when they were hit by the blast, the defence ministry said in a statement.

"It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of two Royal Marines from 42 Commando Royal Marines in the Loy Mandeh area of the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province," said British military spokesman Major Rolf Kurth.

"The two Royal Marines were on patrol, disrupting insurgent activity when they were killed by an explosion caused by an IED (improvised explosive device)."

Next of kin have been informed, the defence ministry said.

The deaths bring to 368 the number of British troops killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.

Britain has about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, making it the second-largest contributor after the United States to the NATO-led coalition. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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