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UK soldier killed in Afghanistan UK soldier killed in Afghanistan
(about 2 hours later)
A British soldier was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.A British soldier was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The MoD said the serviceman, who was from the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, died in Helmand province.The MoD said the serviceman, who was from the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, died in Helmand province.
The soldier's death brings the number of UK troops killed on operations in the country since 2001 to 114.The soldier's death brings the number of UK troops killed on operations in the country since 2001 to 114.
The soldier's next of kin have been informed. His death follows the killing on Monday in Afghanistan of 35-year-old Sergeant Jonathan Mathews.The soldier's next of kin have been informed. His death follows the killing on Monday in Afghanistan of 35-year-old Sergeant Jonathan Mathews.
The soldier who died on Tuesday was on a routine patrol that clashed with Taleban fighters early that morning.The soldier who died on Tuesday was on a routine patrol that clashed with Taleban fighters early that morning.
Intense fighting
During the fighting he was seriously injured in an explosion. He was flown out for medical treatment but died during the journey.During the fighting he was seriously injured in an explosion. He was flown out for medical treatment but died during the journey.
Army spokesman Lt Col 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."Army spokesman Lt Col 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."
According to the BBC's Alastair Leithead British forces were ambushed by Taleban insurgents while on patrol out of their base south of Sangin, in the Helmand river valley.
They returned fire and during the battle the soldier was caught in an explosion - most probably a rocket propelled grenade fired by insurgents.
The BBC's correspondent said the fighting in Helmand province is particularly intense at the moment and there are daily clashes with insurgents, with some bases regularly coming under attack.
Of the 114 British troops who have died in Afghanistan since 2001, most of them were killed in the last two years in Helmand province.