By IRNA,
London : Three British troops were reported to have been killed and four others injured by a renegade Afghan soldier during a joint patrol Tuesday, but their identity was not immediately confirmed.
“We are aware of an incident this morning in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province involving Isaf troops. An investigation is underway and more details will be released when appropriate,” a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was said to have issued an immediate apology to the British government over the incident and has also launched an inquiry into the reports.
The BBC said that it understood there will not be any confirmation of the circumstances surrounding the incident until the next of kin are informed.
But an Afghan defence ministry spokesman was reported to have said that the attack by the renegade soldier was carried out with a rocket-propelled grenade.
Five British troops were killed and six others injured in their compound by an Afghan policeman last November. In December, an Afghan soldier also shot dead one American soldier and wounded two Italian troops.