UK SOLDIER KILLED IN HELMAND BLAST

The serviceman, from the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, who was serving with the 4th Battalion, The Rifles, died following a blast near Sangin, in central Helmand Province, on Saturday afternoon.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said: "It is my sad duty to inform you that a soldier from The Rifles was killed today in an explosion near Sangin, in Helmand Province.

"He died a soldier, doing his duty and among his fellow soldiers. He will not be forgotten."

The soldier's family have been informed.

The death, on the eve of Remembrance Day, took the number of British troops who have died in Afghanistan since the mission began in October 2001 to 231.

Of those, 200 were killed as a result of hostile action, the Ministry of Defence said.

The remaining 31 have died from illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or a cause of death has not been determined.