UK soldier killed in Afghanistan

The soldier died from a gunshot wound

A British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The soldier from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died from a bullet wound received on patrol in Helmand Province.

Next of kin have been informed, defence officials say, but the soldier has not yet been named.

The death brings the total number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 154.

The Ministry of Defence said the soldier had been on a routine patrol with the Afghan National Army in the vicinity of Woqab, close to Musa Qala, when the shooting occurred.

Lt Col Nick Richardson, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "This is another tragic situation where we all feel this great loss."

He said thoughts and prayers were with the soldier's family and friends.

"Their pain is our pain and as the years go by we will mourn the loss of this true British hero," he added.