Soldier killed in Helmand blast

A British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan
12 April 2012

A British soldier has been killed by an explosion in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was serving with the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment and was providing security in the Mirmandab region of Nahr-e Saraj when he was killed by an improvised explosive device.

His family has been informed.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie said: "It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of a soldier from 2nd Battalion The Rifles.

"The loss of this brave soldier has affected us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."

The death takes the number of British personnel who have died since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 to 386.

The last British serviceman killed in the country was Territorial Army soldier Private Matthew Thornton, 28, from 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed by an IED a week ago.

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