Browne hails progress in Afghanistan on the same day as another British soldier is killed on duty

The serviceman was killed yesterday when his vehicle was caught in a blast north of Sangin, Helmand Province, the Ministry of Defence  confirmed. Next of kin have been informed.

Grounds for progress: Defence secretary Des Browne visited soldiers in Afghanistan

The death brings the number of British personnel who have died in Afghanistan since 2001 to 97. Two other British personnel were injured in the incident.

An MoD spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that the MoD must confirm that a British serviceperson was killed yesterday in Afghanistan and two others injured.

"The incident happened at approximately 12.50pm, 2km north of Sangin, when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion.

"The incident happened as British forces returned to their operating base following operations in the Musa Qaleh area.

"The two injured service personnel were airlifted to Camp Bastion for medical treatment.

"The next of kin have been informed and have requested a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released."

Brigadier General Carlos Branco, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of these brave soldiers."

Mr Browne's weekend trip began with a stop-off at the International Security Assistance Force's Regional Command South in Kandahar, under which British troops in southern Afghanistan operate.

Amazed by the change: Browne (left) described a sense of optimism after visiting British troops in the region

He then travelled to Lashkar Gah, Task Force Helmand's headquarters, where he met the Commander of British forces in Afghanistan, Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith.

While there, the Defence Secretary took the opportunity to talk to members of the Lashkar Gah Operations Company, made up of soldiers from The 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

He also met members of 23 Engineer Regiment and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office-led Provisional Reconstruction Team, who are working with local Afghan organisations to help with the reconstruction and development in Helmand.

Mr Browne said: "I am immensely impressed with the efforts of our forces in Afghanistan.

"There is a real sense of progress and optimism in Helmand, and our troops are making a difference.

"I come away with a sense that we are succeeding against the insurgents, and that the Afghans' ability to deliver their own security is ever increasing.

"We must ensure that our efforts to provide security are matched by International and Afghan delivery of development."

Mr Brown's trip to Afghanistan came days after he visited Iraq.

On Thursday the Defence Secretary paid a visit to central Basra, chatting with local people and drinking tea in a roadside cafe.

Mr Browne said the town was "transformed" in the wake of the recent security crackdown by the Iraqi Army to wrest control of the city from Shia militias.

It was the first time he had been able to visit central Basra since British forces withdrew to the military airbase outside the city in September last year.