British soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

A British soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan today, the Ministry of Defence said.

The serviceman, from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died from the wounds he received in an explosion in the Babaji area of Helmand Province this morning.

His family have been informed.

Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is my sad duty to confirm that a soldier from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards was killed this morning by an explosion in the Babaji area of Helmand Province.

"He died doing his duty as a British soldier, among his fellow soldiers, and we will remember him."

The soldier was the 99th member of UK forces to die on operations in Afghanistan this year, and the 236th since the mission began in October 2001.

His death was announced as Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed that all the conditions had been met for an extra 500 British troops from the Chester-based 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh to be sent to Afghanistan in December.

The reinforcements will take the total UK military effort in the insurgency-torn country to more than 10,000, including special forces.

After months of deliberation, US president Barack Obama is expected to announce tomorrow that he will send up to 35,000 more American troops to Afghanistan.