Repatriation of Troops Shot by Afghan Policeman

The Bodies of Six Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Return to the UK

Nov 10, 2009

The bodies of six soldiers have been repatriated, five of whom were shot by an Afghan policeman. The coffins were flown into the UK, with the body of Sgt Phillip Scott.

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, the bodies of the five British soldiers who were killed by a rogue Afghan policeman were repatriated, along with the body of Sergeant Phillip Scott. The coffins were flown into RAF Lyneham where a private chapel service for the soldier's family members took place.

Guardsman Jimmy Major, Warrant Officer Darren Chant, Sgt Matthew Telford, Cpl Steven Boote and Cpl Nicholas Webster-Smith died when an Afghan policeman opened fire at a national police checkpoint in Helmand Province.

Sgt Scott, of 3 Battalion The Rifles, died on a bomb clearance operation in Sangin, Helmand.

Attack by Afghan Policeman

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, five UK soldiers were killed, and eight others (including two Afghan National Police officers) injured, when an Afghan policeman opened fire before fleeing the compound.

The soldiers had been mentoring Afghan police. The Taliban claimed responsibility, and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that they may have infiltrated the police force.

The killer is still at large, although a manhunt, reportedly involving the Special Air Service (SAS), has been launched in an effort to find the killer.

Senior British commanders have defended the mentoring of Afghan security forces by British and other coalition solders.

Procession Through Wootton Bassett

Wootton Bassett is a town in Wiltshire which sits on the route which is used to transport dead servicemen's coffins to the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford where post-mortem examinations are carried out.

It is now customary for the inhabitants of the town, and many other visitors who desire to pay their respects, to line the streets as the funeral cortege makes its way through the streets. Sometimes thousands of people stand and watch as the procession makes its way, often accompanied by applause.

Presence of BNP Leader Nick Griffin

Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party (BNP), was present in Wootton Bassett as the funeral cortege passed through.

Griffin has been accused by current and former army commanders of trying to "hijack" the armed forces. General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff told The Times newspaper "The BNP is claiming that it has a better relationship with the Armed Forces than other political parties. How dare they use the image of the Army, in particular, to promote their policies."

Some onlookers reacted with anger that Griffin was present, however others stated that he is "still a human being" and had a right to be there and pay his respect to the fallen soldiers.

War in Afghanistan

Both British politicians and military commanders are defending the UK's involvement in the conflict, amid the highest casualty rates of the war so far.

A recent poll has shown that public support for the war is falling and the majority of people think that the war in Afghanistan in "unwinnable" (see British Army to Retreat in Afghanistan)

The copyright of the article Repatriation of Troops Shot by Afghan Policeman in British/UK Affairs is owned by Patrick Hinton. Permission to republish Repatriation of Troops Shot by Afghan Policeman in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.