Edinburgh-based soldier killed in Afghanistan

A SOLDIER from the 3rd Battalion the Rifles based at Redford Barracks has been killed on duty in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence said today that the soldier died when he was killed by enemy action on patrol in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province.

Major Ian Lawrence, from Task Force Helmand, said: “It is with great sadness I must inform you that a soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles has died as a result of injuries sustained whilst on patrol in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province.

“The thoughts and prayers of all in the Task Force are with his family and friends at this tragic time.”

The soldier’s family have been informed.

450 members of the battalion left for a six month tour of Afghanistan in April. It was the first time they had been deployed since 2010 when 30 members of the battlegroup were killed, the biggest loss of life in a battlegroup for 60 years.