British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan
The solider was working alongside an Afghan security force patrol aimed at “disrupting insurgent activity” in the Mirmandab region of Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province on Wednesday when he was hit by an explosion from an improvised explosive device.
LONDON, UK – A British soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
His death brings the number of British forces killed while serving in Afghanistan since the war began in October 2001 to 405, according to the Associated Press.
The solider was working alongside an Afghan security force patrol aimed at “disrupting insurgent activity” in the Mirmandab region of Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province on Wednesday when he was hit by an explosion from an improvised explosive device (IED), the BBC reports.
He was from 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), and was serving with the Brigade Advisory group, according to ITN News. The soldier’s family have been informed, the Ministry of Defence said.
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Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie, said: “The thoughts and condolences of everyone serving in the Task Force are with his family and friends,” Sky News reports.
The soldier’s death follows the repatriation on Tuesday of six servicemen killed when their Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle was hit by a massive explosion earlier this month, according to The Daily Telegraph.
That attack was the single biggest single loss of UK life at one time in Afghanistan since a Nimrod crash killed 14 service personnel six years ago.
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