Thursday 5 November 2009

A British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan today, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The serviceman, who has not yet been named, was killed in an explosion near Sangin in central Helmand province this morning. His family have been informed.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, confirmed the soldier's death this afternoon.

"It is with deep sorrow I must inform you that a British soldier, one of our own, was killed this morning," Wakefield said.

"He was from 3rd Battalion The Rifles and died in an explosion in Helmand province. A fellow soldier taken from us in this conflict; his sacrifice will not be forgotten."

The death came after five UK troops were killed when an Afghan policeman turned his gun on them inside a secure checkpoint on Tuesday.

The number of British troops who have died since the conflict began in Afghanistan is now 230.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/05/british-soldier-killed-explosion-afghanistan