London  - Prime Minister Gordon Brown Monday hailed the "sacrifice" made by troops in Afghanistan after the death toll of British troops in the conflict reached 100.

The milestone figure was confirmed Sunday as three soldiers of the elite Parachute Regiment fell victim to a suicide attack in Helmand province.

The deaths have reignited the debate in Britain about the mission in Afghanistan. Although the total death toll is counted from the start of the conflict in 2001, the vast majority of the fatalities have occurred in the last two years.

"I want to pay tribute to the courage of all the 100 British troops who have given their lives in Afghanistan in the service of their country," said Brown in a statement.

"The risks they bear and the sacrifices they make should be in our thoughts, not just today but every day. They have paid the ultimate price, but they have achieved something of lasting value - helping turn a lawless region sheltering terrorists into an emerging democracy." (dpa)