Soldier killed in Afghanistan fight

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The soldier, who served with the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, died in the early hours of Saturday in southern Afghanistan as troops continued their push to take the town of Musa Qala, in Helmand province.

The MoD confirmed the death in a statement, but would not release any further details about the circumstances. Next of kin have been informed.

It is understood another British soldier may have been seriously injured in the same incident.

Troops were inserted into the outskirts of Musa Qala by helicopter on Friday ahead of an operation spearheaded by the Afghan army.

The town, in the north of Helmand, has been in Taliban hands for about 10 months after the breakdown of a deal between local elders and the provincial governor designed to keep the jihadist fighters out.

The deal was struck after British forces drove the Taliban out of the town for the first time last year.

The latest death comes days after Trooper Jack Sadler, of the Honourable Artillery Company, was killed by an explosion while on patrol north of Sangin in Helmand province.

The number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001 now stands at 86.

Defence minister Des Browne, who is in Kabul, said Musa Qala had taken on iconic importance, according to BBC Online.