British soldier dies after being shot in Helmand

A British soldier was killed by a gunshot wound in Afghanistan today. The soldier, from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, died during an exchange of fire with insurgents in Helmand province. He is the third British soldier to die in Afghanistan this month. All have died in Helmand province. "It is my sad duty to have to inform you that a soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh was killed this afternoon in an area to the south-east of Showal in Nad-e Ali district, central Helmand," said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield. The soldier, whose unit was previously known as the Royal Welch Fusiliers, is the 281st British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan since the conflict began.