British soldier dies in Helmand blast

Published on Saturday 13 June 2009 20:02

A SOLDIER has been killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday.

The soldier, who has not yet been named, was from 2nd Battalion The Rifles.

He was killed by the blast during an operation near Sangin in northern Helmand Province on Friday morning.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is with deep regret that we report the death of another soldier in Helmand Province.

"Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to the soldiers and officers of 2nd Battalion the Rifles and the bereaved friends and family of this brave soldier."

General Richard Blanchette, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, said the death was the result of an improvised explosive device (IED) strike.

He said: "It is with grief that we offer our deep sympathy to the family of this brave soldier.

"As our flags are lowered in mourning, we raise our eyes to the brighter future this soldier has helped secure for the Afghan people."

The latest death takes the number of British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001 to 168.

It came as colleagues paid tribute to a Scottish soldier who was killed by an explosion near Kandahar on Thursday morning.

Private Robert McLaren, from the Isle of Mull, was fresh out of infantry recruit training and had been in active service for only four weeks.

McLaren, 20, from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was described as a quiet and hard-working soldier.

His family said yesterday: "We are very proud of Robert. He died doing a job he loved and we will cherish fond memories of Robert forever."

He was killed by an IED during a fight at close range with the Taleban.