Missing soldier found dead in Afghanistan

The soldier, from The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was reported missing from his base in central Helmand in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Ministry of Defence said the soldier, who has not been named, was found dead with gunshot wounds, following an “extensive search”.

Taskforce spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick, said: “He had suffered gunshot wounds. His exact cause of death is still to be established and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death are currently under investigation.

“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

The incident came as the Prime Minister, David Cameron, made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan.

After arriving at the Camp Bastion base in Helmand province, Mr Cameron had been due to travel to nearby Lashkar Gah, but the plans were thrown into disarray as the military mobilised all its resources to try to locate the soldier.

Mr Cameron said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the soldier’s death.

A Taliban group claimed to have killed the soldier in a gun battle near Babaji. But Nato said it was not aware of any firefight in the area.

Most of the troops in southern Afghanistan are American and British. However, soldiers from other countries also operate in the south.

In June 2009 insurgents captured an American soldier, Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, in south eastern Afghanistan, and have released videos showing him in captivity dressed in both Afghan clothing and in military uniform.