British soldier killed in Afghanistan

A SOLDIER from the Royal Engineers was killed in action in Afghanistan yesterday, the Ministry of Defence said, as a result of enemy fire while on operations east of Kabul.

A British soldier has been killed by enemy fire in Kabul, Afghanistan. Picture: Greg Macvean

His next of kin have been informed, the spokesman said.

Another Nato soldier was killed in a separate attack in the south of Afghanistan yesterday, but details of nationality have yet to be released.

The death takes to 447 the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 and is the ninth this year.

The majority of British forces are in Helmand province, in the south of the country, but some also operate elsewhere, including in and around the capital, Kabul. The drawdown of British troops is under way, and all combat troops are due to have left by the end of 2014.

There are just four bases remaining outside Camp Bastion, due to be closed down one by one in the new year, and the number of personnel has been reduced from 9,000 at the start of the year to around 5,200.

During a pre-Christmas visit to Helmand last week, Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain had accomplished its mission in Afghanistan.

Afghan insurgents have increased attacks in recent months, intensifying a campaign to regain territory as foreign forces draw down ahead of full withdrawal at the end of 2014.

Last week six US soldiers died when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a mission in Zabul in southern Afghanistan.