British soldier killed in blast

Ninety-four UK troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001

A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The soldier, from the Queens Royal Lancers Regiment, died after a suspected minestrike on his vehicle on Monday morning.

It takes the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 94. A second soldier hurt in the blast is being treated in field hospital.

The MoD said the dead soldier's next of kin had been informed.

The soldier was providing security to a supply convoy travelling from the town of Gareshk in Helmand province.

The vehicles were returning to the UK troop base at Camp Bastion when the explosion happened.

An Mod spokesman said: "The soldier was evacuated to the medical facility at Camp Bastion, but tragically was declared dead on arrival."

Lieutenant Colonel Sarto LeBlanc, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, said: "We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the soldier who died today, and those who were wounded, while working to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.

"We have lost a valuable member of our team and this loss will be felt across our command."