AMBUSH; Three Paras die as their Special Forces support group is attacked by Taliban bomb and gunfire.

Byline: CHRIS HUGHES

THREE Special Forces soldiers were ruthlessly gunned down by Taliban fighters in an ambush when a road bomb blew up their vehicle.

The men from the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment had no chance to defend themselves as the blast left them stunned and sitting ducks.

Insurgents who had lain in wait for hours leaped out and opened fire on the lightly armoured Jackal vehicle.

Three of the paratroopers were killed at the scene while a fourth was badly hurt and is in critical condition.

The deaths - just days before a key Afghan election day - brings the UK toll in Afghanistan to 195 since 2001.

Brigadier-General Eric Tremblay said: "We are very saddened and stand behind their bereaved families.

"Our forces risk their lives every day to help eliminate Taliban oppression.

SAVAGE

"The insurgents have so many times proven to be ruthless to Afghans who dare not to co-operate with them or refuse to turn a blind eye to their brutal activities."

The ambush, north of Helmand province's capital Lashkar Gah on Thursday, was in the same area targeted by the massive Operation Panther's Claw over the past six weeks involving more than 1,000 British troops.

It follows controversy over whether troops have enough protected vehicles to deal with Taliban bombs. Jackals are not as well armoured as Mastiff vehicles.

A defence source insisted the Jackal was the first choice vehicle for the patrol being carried out by the men who died.

The victims were serving in the Special Forces Support Group, which was formed three years ago to help the SAS and Special Boat Service on operations. It is made up of personnel from the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Marines and the RAF Regiment.

The deaths came as Nato's new Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned that more British troops must go to Afghanistan if the Taliban are to be defeated.

His call piles pressure on ministers who blocked the deployment of an extra 2,000 UK soldiers earlier this year.

Secretary General Rasmussen believes victory in Afghanistan has to be the trans-Atlantic alliance's top priority.

Speaking from the capital Kabul, he admitted military might will not succeed alone and called for reconstruction to be speeded up to offer Afghans a better life.

The former Danish Prime Minister said: "We have to provide the Afghan people with better life opportunities as well if we are to win hearts and minds and this will be at the core of our new strategy."

Meanwhile, the next head of the Army warned British involvement in Afghanistan could last up to 40 years. General Sir David Richards, who will become Chief of the General Staff this month, told the Times: "I believe the UK will be committed to Afghanistan in some manner - development, governance, security sector reform - for the next 30 to 40 years."

But he said troop involvement should be needed only in the medium term and the role of the Army would evolve.

His remarks came after Armed Forces minister Bill Rammell admitted Britain blundered by underestimating the Taliban.

Defence chiefs were told in the Spring the UK could not afford to increase troop levels from 8,000 to 10,000. Since then, our forces have suffered mounting casualties.

Last month, 22 British troops were killed - the deadliest period in the eight-year war.

Another 125 soldiers have had to be sent to replace those killed and injured, mainly by Improvised Explosive Devices.

Thousands of US forces have been sent in to help the 9,000 British soldiers.

THE JACKAL

OFFICIALLY categorised as Protected PatroVehicle; has latest armour. SENT to Helmand to give troops better protection than the controversial Snatch Land Rover.

USED for reconnaissance, rapid assault, fire support and convoy protection. Usually has 3-man crew.

ARMED with a general purpose machine gun - can also carry heavy machine-guns or grenade launchers. RANGE is 497 miles. Engine is 5.9litre with top speed of 49mph off-road and 80mph on-road.

THE SFSG 

SPECIAL Forces Support Group set up in 2006 when MoD realised enormity of counter-insurgency struggle in Afghanistan.

FOUR-MAN teams of elite SAS and SBS troops had been used in pin-point operations but it became clear they needed specialist back-up for sealing off the combat area.

TRADITIONALLY SAS recruits from Parachute Regiment and SBS from The Royal Marines; 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment usually provides SFSG to back up SAS.