British soldier killed in Afghanistan

A British soldier has died in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The soldier, from The Royal Marines Armoured Support Group, was killed yesterday while travelling in a Viking vehicle near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province. Next of kin have been informed.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "We are numb with grief at this loss of a noble Marine, who served his country for the good of the Afghan people.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues who feel the greatest loss. He will always be remembered as a true hero."

The latest death takes the British armed forces' death toll in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 159.

Six soldiers have died on duty in the country in the last eight days.

On Thursday May 7, Sergeant Ben Ross, 34, from 173 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment, Royal Military Police, and Corporal Kumar Pun, 31, from the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were killed by a suicide bomber during a patrol in Gereshk.

In separate incidents on the same day, Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, 25, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was killed when his Jackal patrol vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device near Sangin and Corporal Sean Binnie, 22, from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland died in a fire fight with insurgents near Musa Qala.

Lieutenant Mark Evison died in Selly Oak hospital on Tuesday after being shot while on patrol in Helmand Province on Saturday.