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| Soldier dies in Afghan explosion | Soldier dies in Afghan explosion |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier from 2nd Battalion The Rifles has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A British soldier from 2nd Battalion The Rifles has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The serviceman died while on a foot patrol near Gereshk in central Helmand. His next of kin have been informed. | The serviceman died while on a foot patrol near Gereshk in central Helmand. His next of kin have been informed. |
| The death takes the number of UK service personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 185. | The death takes the number of UK service personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 185. |
| Last week, eight soldiers were killed in a 24-hour period, and the head of the Army has called for more equipment. | Last week, eight soldiers were killed in a 24-hour period, and the head of the Army has called for more equipment. |
| Task Force Helmand spokesman Lt Col Nick Richardson said the soldier killed on Thursday had "laid down his life for his country and for the good people of Afghanistan". | |
| "We grieve for his loss and join with his family and friends to mourn his passing. He will always be remembered." | "We grieve for his loss and join with his family and friends to mourn his passing. He will always be remembered." |
| The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has called for better equipment to protect troops from roadside bombs in the country. | |
| He told the BBC that troops "needed more" and added that he would be compiling a "shopping list" of what was required. | |
| The government has also been accused of refusing requests for more troops, and this week MPs on the Commons defence select committee said that a lack of helicopters was undermining the UK forces' operations. | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has repeatedly insisted the Army has enough equipment and denied claims of a helicopter shortage. | |
| The general's recent comments come during a month in which 16 British soldiers have died in Helmand - with at least 12 killed by roadside bombs. | |
| The big increase in British casualties has come as coalition troops conduct a military offensive designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections next month. |