UK forces were sent to Afghanistan to support the UN-backed, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and to take part in the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). From 2003 until the end of 2014, their mission was known as Operation Herrick, after which they continued under the name Operation Toral.

British fatalities in Afghanistan

TThe Ministry of Defence (MOD) has reported fatalities during operations in Afghanistan. As of 23 July 2015, a total of 454 British forces personnel or MOD civilians had died since the start of operations in October 2001. Of these, 405 were killed due to hostile action, while 49 died from illness, non-combat injuries, accidents, or causes still under investigation, with numbers subject to change as inquests conclude. Following a helicopter crash on 11 October 2015, two more UK personnel lost their lives, bringing the total number of military deaths to 456.