British soldier killed in Afghanistan explosion

A British soldier has died in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence announced today. The soldier, from 1 Rifles, died when the blast happened, south of Sangin district centre in Helmand province, yesterday. The MoD said his family had been informed. "It is with a heavy heart [that] I must inform you of the death of a ... British soldier in the Sangin area of northern Helmand province," Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield , the spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said. "He was from 1 Rifles, serving as part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group, and was on a foot patrol near Patrol Base Almas, which is to the south of Sangin district centre, when he was killed by an explosion. "We have lost one of our comrades and he will be sorely missed, but his boldness and his selfless commitment to this fight will not be forgotten." The death was unconnected with Operation Moshtarak, the Nato offensive to clear the Taliban from southern Afghanistan.