British soldier killed in blast in southern Afghanistan

A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The soldier, from the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died in the Babaji district of central Helmand province earlier this morning.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said the soldier had been on foot patrol providing protection to the local population at the time of his death.

"He will be sorely missed by us, his comrades, and his steadfast courage will not be forgotten," Lt Col Wakefield said.

The soldier's death brings the total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 257.

His next of kin have been informed.
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