Suicide blast kills British soldier in Afghanistan

A British soldier was killed in a suicide blast while on patrol in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier from the 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Staffords) died from an explosion during a vehicle-borne suicide attack, the MoD said.

He was taking part in a patrol in the Kamparak area, 40km north east of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province, on Tuesday.

The death takes to 446 the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. Next of kin have been informed.

Lieutenant Colonel Hywel Lewis, the spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “He commanded great respect throughout his regiment.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time.”