British soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

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British soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

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A British soldier was killed in an improvised explosive device blast in Helmand province.

21 November,2011 04:39 am

A British soldier was killed Sunday in an improvised explosive device blast in southern Afghanistans restive Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said.The soldier, from the 1st Battalion The Princess of Waless Royal Regiment, was a member of a joint foot patrol with Afghan National Security Forces in the Nahr-e Saraj area when he was killed in the IED explosion.Our deepest condolences are extended to his family at this very difficult time and all of our thoughts and prayers are with them, said spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie.The soldiers family have been informed. The death brought to 389 the number of British troops killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.Of these, at least 344 were killed in combat. He is the 41st to die this year.Britain has around 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, making it the second-largest contributor to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.They are based in central Helmand, battling Taliban insurgents and training local security forces.