Soldier killed in Afghanistan named

He was part of an International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) joint offensive with the Afghan National Army (ANA) in the Upper Geresk valley in the turbulent province of Helmand.

Two other British soldiers were injured while fighting in a separate part of the operation.

He was described as a "quiet and thoughtful" man who was a keen football fan and supported his local team, Birmingham City.

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Carew Hatherley, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, paid tribute to his bravery. "Immensely proud to be a Grenadier, whether in tunic and bearskin or combats, he was held in the highest regard by all who served alongside him," he said.

"He gave his life in selfless service to his country and his courage and determination is an inspiration to us all. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten."

Guardsman Hickey was helping provide cover fire to protect his fellow soldiers as they attacked an enemy position when he was shot at around 8am local time on Thursday. Despite being evacuated by helicopter, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the field hospital.

The soldier, from the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was operating as part of the 1st Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment battle group. They had been fighting in the Rahim Kalay area, six miles north of Geresk, since July 7.

They were targeting Taliban insurgents who were intimidating the local population and jeopardising the influence of the Afghan government, said an army spokeswoman in Helmand. She said most of the enemy did not come from the local area and included foreign fighters. "The intent of these operations was, in stages, to disrupt Taliban activities, to defeat their attacks - it was unclear whether the enemy would stand and fight or melt away - and to drive Taliban fighters from the area," she said.

The Taliban was initially slow to respond, but stepped up its attacks on July 10 and July 11, which led to numerous casualties on the insurgent side. On Thursday, fighting continued with the Taliban caught between the ANA and Isaf forces and it was at this stage that Guardsman Hickey was shot.