UK soldier killed in Afghan blast

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles were on their way back to their base at Kandahar Airfield, the main allied air base in the south of the country, when the blast hit their vehicle.

The Gurkhas had been taking part in an operation in neighbouring Helmand Province, the first major push since the unit's arrival in the country as part of the Army's autumn troop rotation. The blast happened around 19 miles west of the base in Kandahar Province.

All three were airlifted to Camp Bastion, Britain's main base in Afghanistan, where one was pronounced dead. The other two are receiving treatment.

Next of kin have been informed and have requested a 24-hour period of grace before further details are released, the MoD said.

The latest casualties take the number of British forces personnel to be killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations there in 2001 to 82.

The dead man is also the first UK soldier to be killed in the country since September 20.

His battalion, had been taking part in Operation Palk Wahel - meaning "hammer blow" - a 2,500-strong push into a section of the notorious "Green Zone" in Helmand's Upper Gereshk Valley. The battalion is usually based in Serai in Brunei.

The MoD expressed "deep regret" at the death and said no further details would be immediately released.

Squadron Leader Mat Best, a spokesman for Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said: "Isaf troops confront danger on a daily basis as they continue to improve the security situation in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died or been injured in the incident."