A soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said today.
The serviceman, from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in a blast in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province yesterday.
Next of kin have been informed.
The MoD said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce the death of a soldier from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment on 30th December 2011 in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.
"Serving as a part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North), the soldier was a member of an International Security Assistance Force foot patrol when he was caught in the blast from an improvised explosive device."
Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dan Bradbury said: "It is with great sadness that I must inform you that a soldier from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment was killed in an explosion while on a foot patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province yesterday.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."
The soldier's family have asked for a 24-hour period of grace until more details are released.
A total of 394 British troops have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001.
PA
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