Soldier shot dead in Afghanistan
A British soldier was shot dead in Afghanistan after his patrol base came under attack from insurgents, the Ministry of Defence said.
The serviceman from A Company 4th Battalion The Rifles was serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group near Sangin in Helmand Province at the time of the firefight.
Next of kin have been informed. The incident was not linked to the ongoing Moshtarak operation.
Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is with deep sadness I have to tell you that a British soldier was killed this morning in a firefight with insurgents at Patrol Base Bariolai to the north of Sangin District Centre.
"The soldier died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained during an insurgent attack on the Patrol Base involving small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
Lt Col Wakefield added: "He gave his life fighting to protect his friends and to bring security to the people of Sangin; we will remember him."
The death brings the number of British military casualties in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001 to 271.
