Soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

A British soldier was killed by an explosion yesterday while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

The soldier, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died from wounds received in the blast south of Sangin district centre, in Helmand Province, this morning.

Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "He was on a foot patrol as part of the operations that have been bringing security to the local population in that area. We have lost one of our comrades and we will remember him."

Next of kin have been informed, the Ministry of Defence said.

The explosion went off in a "green zone", the MoD said.

Lt Col Wakefield added: "This morning in Sangin an explosion caused the death of a British soldier from A Company 3 Rifles.

"It happened in the 'green zone' area to the south of Sangin district centre, an area where until recently insurgents had held sway."

He became the 251st member of the British armed forces to be killed during the Afghanistan conflict - just four short of the number who died during the Falklands War in 1982.