May 24, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11,1423

LONDON: British soldiers were involved in an exchange of gunfire in southeastern Afghanistan on Thursday, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said.

“Around 0450 GMT (10.50am PST) on Thursday, a vehicle drove close to the (Royal Marines’) position, three gunmen got out and opened fire. Approximately 10 bullets were fired at the observation post,” the spokesman said.

“A member of the brigade reconnaissance force returned fire, hitting the gunmen. A second vehicle arrived and removed what looked like bodies,” he said, adding that there were no casualties on the British side.—AFP