Soldier dies after Iraq shooting

The soldier, from Chindit Company, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, had been injured while on patrol in the al-Ashar area of Basra.

An MoD spokeswoman said the soldier died as a result of gunshot wounds. The soldier's family has been informed.

The number of British troops killed so far in operations in Iraq has now risen to 135.

Evacuated

Major David Gell, military spokesman in Basra, said: "We can confirm that a British soldier was shot while on patrol.

"He was evacuated to Basra Palace, but subsequently died of his injuries.

"He would have been stabilised by a team medic and evacuated straight away, but unfortunately the injuries the soldier sustained were not survivable.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Private Johnathon Wysoczan, 21, from The Staffordshire Regiment, was the last to die on 4 March after being critically injured on patrol in Basra.

In February the government said troop numbers would be cut from 7,100 to 5,500 this year.