Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, and Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, have issued the following statements.
Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said:
"We should not forget that each and every death of a member of our Armed Forces is a tragedy of equal proportion. Our thoughts at this time lie firmly with the families and friends of all the brave men and women fallen in Afghanistan, and we should all remember that every one of them has given their lives in defence of their - and our - country.
"We have seen an intense, hard and bloody period in Afghanistan but, as we prepare to consolidate our progress with the launch of Operation MOSHTARAK, it is imperative that we hold our resolve. The national security of the UK and the safety of its citizens depends on that.
"Our presence in Afghanistan is vital in preventing it from once again becoming a haven for terrorists who would seek to threaten the UK. In taking the fight to the insurgents, providing security and hope for the Afghan people, and building up their own security forces, we will - and must - succeed."
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said:
"We remember and honour all those who have given their lives in the line of duty and pay tribute to the significant progress that they have helped to achieve. Sad milestones such as this naturally attract attention in the UK, but in theatre our people continue resolutely and courageously with the task of assisting Afghans to build their own future.
"Day after day, Service personnel from the UK and from our partner nations are putting their lives on the line in order to make possible the progress we have seen, and are continuing to see, in Helmand province. We owe it to them to show resolve and to give them our utmost backing."
Afghanistan's Defence Minister, General Wardak, has also made a statement:
"I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of the 255th UK serviceman who paid the ultimate price on operations in Afghanistan. On behalf of the Afghan Government, the ANSF [Afghan National Security Forces] and the Afghan people, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those who have died.
"The deaths of UK, ISAF and Afghan Service personnel and civilians are always tragic, but I hope that it is of some comfort to the families that their sacrifice is not in vain; the scourge of extremism and terrorism affects us all and we will continue to confront it together.
"I look forward to the day when the Afghan security forces are able to take full responsibility for Afghanistan's security. We are trying very hard to make this day happen as soon as possible. Working together, we are making progress, and the ANSF is increasingly taking the leading role. But for now we continue to need the support of our international friends and partners, including the UK. We will never forget that, in our hour of need, you stood by us."