A British soldier has been killed by an explosion in Afghanistan while on foot patrol to disrupt insurgent activity, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The serviceman, from the 5th Battalion The Rifles, died in the Babaji area of the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province after a makeshift bomb went off.
Next of kin have been informed.
Serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South), the soldier was a member of an International Security Assistance Force patrol when he was caught in the explosion, the MoD said.
Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie said: "I have the sad duty to inform you that a soldier from the 5th Battalion The Rifles was killed earlier today after an explosion while on a foot patrol to disrupt insurgent activity in the Babaji area of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."
The death takes the number of British troops who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 390.
