British soldier killed in Afghanistan
A British soldier has been shot dead in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The soldier from the Queen's Gurkha Engineers was serving with 21 Engineer Regiment. His family have been told.
He was killed on Friday by small arms fire in Nad Ali, Helmand province, the MoD said. The soldier has not yet been named.
The number of UK personnel killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 331.
Lt Col David Southall, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said the soldier had been "selfless to the end".
He added: "He gave his life whilst supporting others. His sacrifice will not be forgotten."
His death in Afghanistan comes after two other soldiers died following separate incidents.
The first serviceman, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was seriously injured after a helicopter crashed at a patrol base in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand on Tuesday.
He was flown back to the UK, but died in hospital on Thursday.
The second soldier, from 21 Engineer Regiment, died on Friday after being shot in the Sangin district of Helmand.