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UK soldier dies in Afghan clash | UK soldier dies in Afghan clash |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A British soldier serving in southern Afghanistan has been killed in a clash with Taleban fighters, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. | A British soldier serving in southern Afghanistan has been killed in a clash with Taleban fighters, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. |
The soldier, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died in the Gereshk Valley in Helmand province. | The soldier, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died in the Gereshk Valley in Helmand province. |
The MoD said that his next of kin have been informed of his death. | |
His death comes a day after Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, of the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in Helmand. | |
The MoD said the soldier from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was shot after his unit secured a bridge. | |
Taleban fire | Taleban fire |
"After consolidating its position after securing a bridge crossing of the Nahr-e-Seraj canal, the company he was with was pushing west to clear further Taleban positions," the MoD said in a statement. | "After consolidating its position after securing a bridge crossing of the Nahr-e-Seraj canal, the company he was with was pushing west to clear further Taleban positions," the MoD said in a statement. |
"At around 0600 local time, the company came under fire from Taleban fighters, and the soldier was shot. | "At around 0600 local time, the company came under fire from Taleban fighters, and the soldier was shot. |
"An emergency response helicopter was requested but he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was flown to the Isaf medical facility at Camp Bastion," the ministry statement said. | |
The death brings to 66 the number of UK military personnel who have died since military operations began in Afghanistan in November 2001. |