THE number of British soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan stands at 444.

Given that enormous toll, it seems beyond belief that two more should die on the training grounds of the Brecon Beacons. As MP and TA soldier Desmond Swayne says today, it is unacceptable. An inquiry involving both the MoD and the police has been launched and it would be wrong to pre-empt that. But it’s already clear that this tragic incident may have some significant effect on controversial plans to give the TA an even bigger role in military operations.