Killed soldier to be named

The soldier, a member of the 1st Battalion of The Royal Irish Regiment, was killed by a blast from an "improvised explosive device" while on a routine foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand province, the MoD said.

Despite being given first aid at the scene he later died there.

Lieutenant Colonel David Reynolds, spokesman for British Forces in Afghanistan, said: "This is a tragic loss and one that will be felt across the Task Force.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the friends and family at this most difficult time".

Conservative leader David Cameron made his third visit to Afghanistan this week, journeying to the volatile Sangin region to meet British troops based there.

His visit came just two days before a civilian was shot by troops near a British base in Afghanistan.

The man was shot after he failed to heed a warning and ran towards a patrol in Sangin. Troops opened fire because they believed he was a suicide bomber. It emerged later he was a civilian and posed no threat.

The troops involved are thought to be British, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.

A spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, whose role is to promote security and development, said the man had sustained "non life-threatening injuries".