Afghanistan: British soldier killed in Helmand by suicide blast

A British soldier has been killed in a suicide blast while on patrol in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The “hugely experienced” soldier from 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) died in an explosion during a vehicle-borne suicide attack, the MoD said. He was on patrol with his armoured infantry unit in Kamparak, 40km north-east of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province.

The death takes to 446 the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 and is the eighth this year. His next of kin have been informed.