British soldier shot dead in Afghanistan

A British soldier has been shot dead during a firefight in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The soldier, from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed as a result of small arms fire in the Musa Qala area yesterday evening.

Next of kin have been informed.

The death was not linked to the ongoing Operation Moshtarak.

Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is my sad duty to have to inform you that a soldier from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed by small arms fire yesterday evening near Patrol Base Minden in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province.

"He was on a patrol after dark and was shot during a firefight.

"He died a soldier, doing his duty and among his fellow soldiers; his sacrifice will not be forgotten."

A total of 260 British service personnel have now died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001.

Another British soldier, from 6 Rifles, also died yesterday.

He was caught in an explosion while on foot patrol near Sangin.

His death was also unconnected to Operation Moshtarak, in which more than 1,000 British troops are working alongside Afghan forces to capture Taliban strongholds.