By Andrew Jarret

MEMBERS OF Arbroath’s 45 Commando Group yesterday joined fellow commandos to mourn the deaths of two Royal Marines from the Command Support Group in southern Afghanistan.

The pair from 3 Commando Brigade were killed on Wednesday in Garmsir by an explosion, bringing the total UK service deaths in the country to 124.

Arbroath’s 45 Commando is operating in the northern Sangin area of Helmand. Flags at marine bases throughout the province flew at half-mast yesterday in the pair’s memory.

They were from the UK Landing Force Command Support Group, normally based at Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth.

They were in a joint patrol with Afghan soldiers when their vehicle was struck by an explosive in the Garmsir district of southern Helmand.

Commander Paula Rowe of Task Force Helmand said, “This is a tragic blow to us all in the task force, but our loss is nothing compared to that of their families and loved ones.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time.”

The identities of the marines have not yet been released but next of kin have been informed.

The Command Support Group is part of Task Force Helmand’s information exploitation group, responsible for gathering information to improve situational awareness and to gain an advantage over enemy forces.

Its 450 men are engaged in surveillance and reconnaissance, handling communications and electronic warfare.

The incident happened at 4.47pm local time on Wednesday. The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Brigadier General Richard Blanchette of the International Security Assistance Force said, “Our deepest sympathies go out to their family, friends and fellow soldiers.”

The marines’ next of kin asked for a 24-hour period of grace before more information is released, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) added.

The total of British services personnel killed in Afghanistan and Iraq is 300.

l In a separate incident a suicide bomber in eastern Afghanistan killed 20 civilians and an American soldier yesterday, a US military spokesman said.