Dead Kabul soldier named

It is the first British fatality of the Afghan conflict

A British peacekeeper who was killed serving in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Darren John George, 22, a member of the 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment, was on patrol in the capital Kabul when he was shot in the head on 9 April.

Mr George has family links with the Basildon area of Essex.

The soldier, the first British fatality of the Afghan conflict, had been treated at a French military hospital and was being flown out of the country when he died.

Inquest expected

He was not hit by "hostile fire" and it is not known whether any other soldiers were involved in the incident.

The Royal Military Police is investigating.

The soldier, whose battalion is based at Pirbright, Surrey, was part of the 2,000-strong UK contribution to the International Security and Assistance Force helping to police Kabul.

It is believed Mr George's inquest will take place in Essex.

Between eight and 12 soldiers were patrolling a dangerous area in the west of the capital when the shooting happened.