Three British soldiers have been killed by a man wearing an Afghan police uniform who shot them at a checkpoint in what has been condemned by the Defence Secretary as a "cowardly act".
The men, members of an Afghan Police Advisory Team, were leaving a shura - or meeting of elders - at Checkpoint Kamparack Pul in Nahr-e-Saraj, Helmand Province, when they were shot on Sunday.
They received first aid at the scene but died of their injuries. Two of the men were serving with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and the other was serving with the Royal Corps of Signals. Their next of kin have been informed.
The gunman had been wearing an Afghan National Civil Order Police uniform, the International Security Assistance Force said.
An investigation into the incident, the latest so-called "green on blue" attack in which members of the Afghan security or police forces have opened fire on international allies, has been launched. Four other British soldiers have died in similar circumstances so far this year.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "I was saddened to hear of this cowardly act by a man wearing an Afghan uniform, which has taken the lives of three brave British soldiers. All of our thoughts are with the families of these men who have died in such tragic circumstances. They gave their lives protecting Britain's national security, helping to make sure that Afghanistan never again becomes a haven for international terrorism.
"Every day, tens of thousands of coalition forces, including UK personnel, live and work successfully with their Afghan counterparts to build an Afghan police force and Army which can take the lead for their own security by the end of 2014.
"That process will continue, and though deeply tragic, yesterday's incident and attacks like it will not derail the mission or distract us from the task in hand. An investigation is now under way; we are determined to get to the bottom of exactly what happened yesterday at Checkpoint Kamparak Pul, and to pursue those who are responsible."
Major Ian Lawrence, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "Their loss will be felt deeply across Task Force Helmand. However, this will be nothing compared to the grief experienced by the soldiers' families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this extremely difficult time."
The deaths bring the total number of members of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 422.
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