Injured soldier dies in hospital

The soldier was hurt while on a foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand Province on the evening of Saturday August 15.

He died at the Royal College of Defence Medicine in Selly Oak. His next of kin has been informed.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: "This fine British soldier made the ultimate sacrifice and his passing is mourned by the Task Force. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and comrades at this very sad time."

The news of the death comes as it was announced that four US troops were killed while on patrol in "one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan".

It brings to 70 the British service personnel death toll for 2009 and 207 since the conflict began.

Meanwhile, preliminary results of the recent elections showed President Hamid Karzai holding a narrow lead. An extensive security operation was mounted around last week's election amid fears that Taliban intimidation would deter voters.

The preliminary results announced by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) after 10% of the votes had been counted showed that Mr Karzai has 40.6% of the vote, with his main rival, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, on 38.7%.

The results come amid allegations of fraud by both camps.

Mr Abdullah has accused Mr Karzai of widespread rigging, with Mr Karzai's supporters levelling similar accusations in return.