A British soldier was killed in a firefight with Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.
The soldier, from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, was on a routine patrol in Helmand province when his unit was attacked on Tuesday. He was hit in an explosion and died later of his injuries, the ministry said.
The death raises the number of British soldiers to have died in Afghanistan to 114 since Britain's forces joined U.S. troops in invading the country in late 2001.
Fighting has intensified in southern Afghanistan in recent months, with the Taliban stepping up roadside bomb attacks and ambushes. Twenty-eight British troops have been killed so far this year.
The majority of Britain's 8,100 troops are based in Helmand, a vast desert province that is the heartland of Taliban support.
News
Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce
In the Orthodox calendar, Easter falls one week after the date celebrated in western Europe.
Bishop urges people of Britain to stand up for Christian truth
It follows an earlier open letter addressed to King Charles, calling upon him to defend Christianity in line with his titles of Supreme Governor of the Church of England and "Defender of the Faith".
Fundraising Regulator reminds churches that collections are subject to code of practice
Churches can breach the code even when acting in good faith.
Religion is often left unspoken in the workplace despite widespread faith identity, research finds
Fifteen per cent of UK employees with a faith say they have experienced religious discrimination in the workplace.