A British soldier was killed today when his patrol came under fire from Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said. The soldier from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment died while on a fighting patrol to disrupt enemy activity and reassure the local population in the area of Jusyalay, north east of Sangin, in Helmand.

A British soldier was killed today when his patrol came under fire from Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment died while on a fighting patrol to disrupt enemy activity and reassure the local population in the area of Jusyalay, north east of Sangin, in Helmand.

His next of kin have been informed.

Another soldier was wounded in the attack but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The MoD said the soldier was pronounced dead at the scene of the attack.

The second soldier was airlifted to the ISAF medical facility at Camp Bastion.

The attack happened shortly before 6am local time as the patrol was en-route to check on a local irrigation project.

“It was during this engagement that two soldiers were injured,” an MoD spokesman said.

“An emergency response helicopter was requested, but sadly one of the soldiers was pronounced dead at the scene.”

His family have requested 24 hours before further details are release, the

spokesman added.