A Royal Marine has been killed and a second injured in a battle with Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The battle came as British forces launched an operation to dislodge Taliban forces responsible for attacks on the village of Garmsir in southern Helmand.
The MoD confirmed the marine killed was from 45 Commando, which is based at RM Condor in Arbroath, Scotland. However, they would not say whether the serviceman was Scottish.
Both Marines were airlifted to the UK military hospital in Camp Bastion where the injured man underwent surgery. He is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force, said: "The thoughts and prayers of all the servicemen and women here in the UK Task Force are with the family and friends of the Royal Marine who lost his life."
He said those involved in the operation had "carried out their jobs with professionalism, dedication and bravery".
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Price, UK forces spokesman in Afghanistan, said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family who suffered a dreadful loss."
The operation, which began at first light, achieved its aim of clearing Taliban fighters from a position where they were firing into the outskirts of the town, Lt Col Price said.
An MoD spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that there has been a fatality. During the operation, two Royal Marines were injured, one of whom later died of his wounds. They were both airlifted to the UK military hospital in Camp Bastion. The second Royal Marine has undergone surgery and is in a stable condition."
The next of kin of the marine who died have been informed of his death, the spokeswoman said. He is expected to be named later on Wednesday. The latest fatality brings to 42 the number of British forces personnel killed in the country since the start of operations in November 2001. It came two days after three other Marines were injured and two Afghan civilians killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kandahar.
