Afghanistan soldier to be named

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The Ministry of Defence is expected to name a British soldier killed by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan.

The soldier was caught in the blast while on patrol south of Sangin in Helmand province just before 1100 local time (0630 GMT) on Wednesday.

An Afghan interpreter was injured and is being treated at a field hospital.

The soldier, who had been serving with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was declared dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed.

'Tragic incident'

He was on a joint patrol with the International Security Assistance Force and the Afghan National Army.

Wing Cdr Antony McCord, a spokesman for Regional Command South, said: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the soldier who died in this tragic incident and with those of his wounded Afghan colleague."

The soldier's family have requested a 24-hour period of grace before further details are released.

The latest fatality brings the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan since UK military operations began in November 2001 to 84.