British soldier killed in Afghan bomb attack

A British soldier was killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The serviceman, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, died after his vehicle came under attack yesterday in Babaji District, central Helmand Province. Next of kin have been informed.

He was operating with the Light Dragoons Battlegroup, and his death takes the number of UK service personnel killed in the country since
2001 to 211.

Task Force Helmand spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: "Everyone in Task Force Helmand is deeply saddened by the death of this brave soldier who died working to make Afghanistan a better place.

"Our thoughts are with his family and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences at this tragic time."

Brigadier-General Eric Tremblay, from the International Security Assistance Force, added: "We are hurting for this loss and hope that the family and friends of this fine ISAF soldier will find comfort in knowing that he helped make the security situation better for the Afghan population.

"For his significant contribution and ultimate sacrifice, we will always honour his memory."

This summer has been one of the bloodiest for the British Army in Afghanistan, with 41 service personnel killed in July and August alone.

Last week Gordon Brown made a flying visit to the country, announcing that 200 specialist counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) troops would be deployed this autumn to join 200 that were sent there earlier in the year.

The latest casualties come as General Stanley McChrystal, the top commander of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, warned the situation there was "serious", but that success was achievable with a revised strategy, commitment and resolve.

There are now 9,000 UK service personnel in the country.