British soldier killed in Afghanistan

A British soldier manning a checkpoint has been killed in southern Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the soldier from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards had been shot dead in Afghanistan

The soldier was killed by small arms fire while manning a checkpoint near the town of Garmsir in Helmand Province.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, the soldier was at the Eastern Checkpoint which came under attack from a force of between eight and ten Taliban fighters.

The Grenadiers returned fire with small arms and during the ensuing gun battle, the soldier, who was manning a General Purpose Machine Gun, sustained a gunshot wound. As the fire fight intensified, with the Taliban using Rocket Propelled Grenades as well as small arms, ISAF forces called in support from British artillery.

The soldier was pulled out of the firing line by members of the Quick Reaction Force from Patrol Base Delhi and was then flown to the medical facilities at Camp Bastion, the main British base in the area. Despite efforts of medical teams he later died of his wounds. Next of kin have been informed.

During the ongoing engagement at the Eastern Checkpoint, two Dutch F16 aircraft providing air support dropped a 500lb bomb on the Taliban firing position.

The remainder of the team who had been engaged by the Taliban were then relieved by incoming troops and were able to return to base.

(SP/JM)