Video: Shadow Foreign Secretary: British troops do 'vital work' in Afghanistan Douglas Alexander MP urged the Government to seek a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan but made clear his support for the continued deployment of British military forces. His comments came following the announcement that two British Army soldiers died on Saturday in Helmand province after being shot by a man wearing the uniform of an Afghan policeman. It's important to remember that this is a Taliban tactic; they want want to undermine the confidence both of international forces in Afghanistan and of populations beyond Afghanistan. That's why it's important that our troops do their vital work but at the same time that the diplomats and the politicians do their vital work in ensuring that there is an inclusive political settlement when the troops leave in the months ahead," said the Shadow Foreign Secretary. Mr Alexander,who served as Minister for International Development in the previous government, added that on trips he had made to Afghanistan, British military personnel had told him that the "overwhelming majority" of Afghan soldiers they worked with could be trusted.