ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | LONDON - Four British soldiers have been killed in two separate attacks in southern Afghanistan, Britain's Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

One soldier was killed following a suspected roadside bomb blast Friday during a routine patrol in Sangin, Helmand province. Officials said the commando was taken to a military hospital where he died from his wounds.

Three other soldiers were killed in a second explosion in an area south of Sangin during an operation targeting enemy fighters.

British media reported that a 13-year-old boy was involved in a suicide bomb attack on the three troops.

The Defense Ministry said a child died as a result of the explosion. It could not immediately confirm claims the child was involved in the attack on British forces.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these brave men who died in the service of their country," said Prime Minister Gordon Brown. "Fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan puts our armed forces in the front line of terrorism."