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Fourth Operation Moshtarak soldier dies

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 26 February 2010

A soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, has died following an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

A soldier's helmet as the death toll in Afghanistan hits 266. (Credit: Getty)

The soldier was killed in an explosion near Check Point Shamal Storrei in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province.

He is the third British serviceman to die in three days and the fourth to die as a result of Operation Moshtarak, the major offensive to take back Taliban strongholds in the province.

Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, the spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is my sad duty to inform you that a soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, was killed this morning.

"He was on a dismounted patrol against insurgents in an area about three kilometres south of Check Point Shamal Storrei, to the west of Lashkar Gah, when he was caught by an explosion.

"We have lost one of our comrades but his courage in the face of danger, relentlessly taking the fight to the enemy, will be remembered."

The dead man was in the same unit as Trooper Pete Sheppard, who has been blogging for Channel 4 News from Helmand.

In his latest blog Trooper Sheppard, a radio operator, wrote about being "aware that the insurgents are watching us" as they went out on clearance patrols.

In his next dispatch on Saturday, Trooper Sheppard is expected to comment on the incident and pay tribute to his fellow BRF soldier.


Map showing location of latest British death in Afghanistan, near Nad-e Ali

The ministry of defence today also named two service personnel killed in Afghanistan.

Senior Aircraftman Luke Southgate, from 2 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, died after being injured while taking part in a vehicle-mounted patrol on Wednesday.

Rifleman Martin Kinggett, 19, from A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group, was shot dead yesterday near Sangin, in Helmand Province.

A total of 266 British servicemen have died since the conflict began.

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