LOC19:57
16:57 GMT
LONDON, June 18 (KUNA) -- A British soldier was killed by an explosion in
southern Afghanistan Friday, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.
The serviceman, from The Royal Dragoon Guards, was guarding his comrades
when he was hit by the blast in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province
this afternoon.
The death takes the number of British troops who have died since operations
in Afghanistan began to 299.
Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith said: "he
was providing security for a patrol that was conducting a clearance operation
when tragically he was struck by an explosion."
There are around 9,500 UK troops in Afghanistan, the majority in the
southern Helmand province, a stronghold of the insurgency. (end)
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KUNA 181957 Jun 10NNNN