Soldier shot dead while clearing explosives

The soldier, from 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), was killed by small arms fire on Saturday in the Nahr-e Saraj North District of Helmand Province.

He was serving with the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force and was attending the scene of a suspect device when he was killed.

Next of kin have been informed.

A total of 342 UK military personnel have died in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Eastman, said: "The soldier was part of a team responsible for clearing ground of explosive ordnance for coalition and Afghan forces, as well as ensuring the safety of the local Afghan people, when he was killed by small arms fire in the Nahr-e Saraj North District of Helmand Province.

"He sacrificed his life in the service of others, carrying out a hazardous but crucial task; he will live on in the memories of all who had the pleasure of knowing him."

Confirmation of his death came as Nato and Afghan troops killed 17 insurgents in 12-hour gun battle in the Dishu district of southern Helmand province.

Nato and Afghan troops began pushing into the insurgency's stronghold in the south in July. The have established some pockets of security, but attacks have increased in other areas of the country.

Also yesterday, militants attacked a convoy carrying supplies for the police, Education Ministry, and the UN's World Food Programme in western Nimroz province, said provincial police chief General Abdul Jabar Pardeli.

Six militants were killed and one policeman was wounded in the gun battle, which lasted for more than two hours.