British Soldier Dies In Afghan Gun Battle

SKY News

A British soldier has been killed in a gun battle in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The soldier was from 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and attached to 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.

He was serving as part of of the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Battle Group.

The soldier was involved in a small arms engagement with insurgent forces in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, said the soldier was part of a combined foot patrol with Afghan National Police.

The patrol, Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith said, was "seeking to provide security for the local population when he was engaged and killed by small arms fire.

"He died seeking to improve the lives of ordinary Afghans. He will be sorely missed and his actions will not be forgotten."

His next of kin have been informed.

His death takes the number of British troops who have died since the mission in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 293.

It came as Defence Secretary Liam Fox was meeting his US opposite number Robert Gates for talks which would inevitably focus on the continuing conflict.

Prime Minister David Cameron met Mr Gates in Downing Street on Monday and restated his support for American strategy in Afghanistan.

The London talks were due to consider the recent Kabul peace meeting - or jirga - at which the Afghan president sought the backing of provincial, religious and tribal leaders for a Taliban negotiation plan.

Last month's programme for government committed the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition to "maintain a strong, close and frank relationship with the United States."

The commitment was to "safeguard the UK's national security and support our armed forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere."

Foreign Secretary William Hague visited Washington within days of taking office to assure the US administration of Britain's continuing commitment in Afghanistan, where more than 9,000 UK troops are based.