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British Marine Killed in Afghan Blast


Britain's Ministry of Defense says a British marine has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

The ministry says the soldier was struck by a blast while on foot patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand province Wednesday.

At least 290 British personnel have been killed by hostile action in Afghanistan since the start of military operations there in 2001.

Also Wednesday, NATO said Afghan and international forces captured the newly appointed Taliban shadow governor of Baghlan province earlier this week.

NATO officials say the capture marks the third time in three weeks that the Taliban has had to replace a named shadow governor for the northern province because of coalition operations.

NATO says one insurgent was killed and several other suspects were also detained during the operation.

On Tuesday, NATO-backed Afghan government forces recaptured a remote district in Afghanistan that the Taliban seized last week near the Pakistan border.

A NATO statement Tuesday said the joint force gained control of Barg-e-Matal district in northeastern Nuristan province without firing a shot. No one was hurt during the operation.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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