Sorry this is long thread but just been released...... my thoughts are with all of the families and colleagues concerned
BBC News Website.....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5308622.stm
14 Britons killed in Afghanistan
The plane was a Nimrod MR2
Fourteen British service personnel have died after their aircraft crashed in Afghanistan, the MoD has said.
Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were among those who died in the crash in the southern province of Kandahar.
The plane, later confirmed as an RAF Nimrod MR2, belonged to the Nato-led force which is battling the Taleban.
UK Defence Secretary Des Browne said "all indications are that this was a terrible accident".
It's a black day. It's a disaster for our soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan
Major Charles Heyman
He added: "This is dreadful and shocking news. I know that the people of Britain will join me in sending our deep condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives.
"I can say, however, at this stage all the indications are that this was a terrible accident and not the result of hostile action."
'Technical fault'
The pilot is believed to have radioed ground staff about a technical fault shortly before the aircraft came down.
Nato forces say the was supporting the Nato mission in the area.
The defence analyst, Major Charles Heyman, told BBC News 24: "It's a black day. It's a disaster for our soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan.
"No other words can describe it. It's a big hit to morale. Believe me it really does affect morale."
BBC defence correspondent, Paul Wood, told BBC News 24, said the plane could have been supporting an operation in a place called Panjwayi - west of Kandahar.
"It's a town - which has been in Taleban hands - which has been forced back into coalition hands by a big push, still continuing today."
The crash brings the death toll of UK forces personnel in Afghanistan to 36 since the start of operations in November 2001.
Conservative Party leader David Cameron, who said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the accident, has sent his condolences to the friends and families of those killed.
"Today's tragic loss is a reminder of the extraordinarily difficult conditions in which our armed forces are operating in Afghanistan," he said.
MOD HELPLINE
A special helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives
The crash is thought to be the biggest single loss of British troops in Iraq or Afghanistan since military operations began there in 2001.
Sky News reports on their website.,
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-1232800,00.html?f=rss
Fourteen British troops have died in an aircraft crash in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has claimed it shot down the Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance plane - but the Ministry of Defence says the crash was an accident.
The MoD said those killed were 12 Royal Air Force personnel, one Royal Marine and one Army soldier.
It has set up a helpline for concerned relatives: 08457 800 900.
The deaths bring to 36 the number of UK servicemen killed in Afghanistan since the US-led Coalition invasion in November 2001.
It is believed to be Britain's biggest single loss of life in either Afghanistan or Iraq since the War on Terror began five years ago.
An RAF Nimrod in Bahrain The crash happened near the southern city of Kandahar, part of the region where a multinational NATO force, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), took command of peacekeeping duties this summer.
Shortly after the crash, a man claiming to be a spokesman for the Taliban, Ahmed Khaliq, said the militant guerrilla group had shot down the aircraft.
However, an ISAF spokesman insisted the crash was an accident.
Major Scott Lundy said the plane had been "supporting a NATO mission", adding: "It went off the radar and crashed in an open area in Kandahar. There was no indication of an enemy attack."
He said the Taliban claims were "absolutely false".
About 4,000 UK troops in south Another ISAF spokesman, Major Luke Knittig, said the aircraft had made an emergency call shortly before it disappeared.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said the news was "dreadful and shocking" and said the incident appeared to be "a terrible accident".
He added: "This tragic incident should serve to remind us all of the risks the British military shoulder on all our behalf, across the world every day."
Nimrod MR2s - originally designed to hunt enemy submarines - are now used for general reconnaissance purposes.
The Observer newspaper is reporting that technical problems were reported by the plane's crew before the crash.
DT_Xtremez_09:
