A British soldier has been killed in a grenade attack on his base in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The serviceman from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery died in hospital after the attack on the base in Sangin, in Helmand Province, earlier on Thursday.
He was the 52nd British serviceman to die in the country since the start of operations in November 2001.
An MoD Spokeswoman said: "He died in hospital at Camp Bastion from injuries sustained by a rocket attack on a UK base in Sangin."
She added that next of kin had been informed and have asked that no further information be released for 24 hours.
Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force, said: "Regrettably I must report a further death today. A member of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery died in hospital at Camp Bastion from injuries sustained earlier, when a grenade was fired at our base in Sangin.
"At this very difficult time our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues and I want to convey my sincere and heartfelt condolences to them.
"I would like to assure everyone that, despite our recent sad losses, the men and women of the UK Task Force remain committed to the mission and continue to carry out their tasks with the dedication and courage expected of members of our Armed Forces."
He was the fourth British serviceman to lose his life in Afghanistan in less than a week.
The dead soldier's regiment, 29 Commando Regiment of the Royal Artillery, provides close support fire for the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade. Set up in 1962, the regiment is based in Plymouth but has detached batteries at Arbroath and Poole.
