It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of a soldier from 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 RIFLES), serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, in Afghanistan yesterday, Sunday 7 March 2010.
Ministry of Defence
The soldier died as a result of an explosion which occurred in an area three kilometres south of Sangin district centre, in Helmand province.
Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said:
"It is with a heavy heart I must inform you of the death of a second British soldier in a separate incident yesterday, in the Sangin area of northern Helmand province.
"He was from 1 RIFLES, serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, and was on a foot patrol near Patrol Base Almas, which is to the south of Sangin district centre, when he was killed by an explosion.
"We have lost one of our comrades and he will be sorely missed but his boldness and his selfless commitment to this fight will not be forgotten."
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.
This death was not connected to Operation MOSHTARAK.