British soldier dies in explosion

A soldier from A Company, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died in an explosion in Helmand Province, yesterday.

The soldier, from A Company, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was working in support of a foot patrol in an area south of Sangin district center on Monday morning.

The defense ministry said the incident wasn't connected to Operation Moshtarak. The offensive is the largest in southern Afghanistan since 2001 and is a joint mission between NATO and Afghan troops.

The soldier's name was not released but his family has been informed.

Since 2001, 243 British forces personnel have been killed in action in Afghanistan.