MoD to name tragic soldier

The soldier was part of a joint British-Afghan unit which was hit by an improvised explosive device in the Gereshk region of Helmand province.

The death came as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched an investigation into a rocket attack by British forces in which three Afghan civilians were killed.

The Gereshk attack also left another International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldier, an Afghan National Army soldier and the patrol's interpreter with shrapnel and blast injuries.

The casualties were airlifted along with the body to the medical unit at Camp Bastion.

British Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Reynolds said: "Everyone in Task Force Helmand is affected by the death of a soldier, and the thoughts and sympathies of us all are with the family at this most difficult time."

The fatality brings the total number of British military deaths in Afghanistan to 116 since the start of operations in November 2001.

Of those, the MoD said 85 had been killed as a result of hostile action.

The remainder died from illness, accidents, and non-combat injuries. Some causes of deaths have not yet been formally classified.

The MoD said troops from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment were involved in the civilian deaths, and promised a full investigation.