26/07/2007

British soldier killed in Afghanistan

A British soldier has been killed in a clash with Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The soldier, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed during a deliberate operation aimed at disrupting Taliban forces in the Upper Gereshk Valley of Helmand province.

The soldier had been taking part in a task force level operation codenamed 'Chakush' or 'Hammer' on Thursday against the Taliban in the area between Heyderabad and Mirmandab, northeast of Gereshk.

A statement issued by the MoD said: "After consolidating its position after securing a bridge crossing of the Nahr-e-Seraj, the company he was with was pushing west to clear further Taliban positions.

At around 6am local time, the company came under fire from Taliban fighters and the soldier was shot. An emergency response helicopter was requested but he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was flown to the ISAF medical facility at Camp Bastion."

The soldier's next of kin have been informed and there will be a 24-hour grace period before further details are released.

The soldier is the second British soldier to die in Afghanistan in two days. A soldier from the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment died on Wednesday.

(KMcA/SP)

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