Afghan blast kills British soldier

LONDON - A British soldier was killed and two others wounded on Tuesday when their vehicle was hit by an explosion while on patrol in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The death brings to 85 the number of British armed forces personnel who have been killed on operations in the country since October 2001.

"The soldiers were conducting a tactical patrol to the north of Sangin, Helmand Province, when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion," the MoD said.

"Despite the best efforts of the medical team, one of the soldiers sadly died as a result of his wounds. The other two soldiers are currently receiving medical treatment and their injuries are not thought to be life threatening," it added.

The dead soldier was a member of 5 Regiment Royal Artillery.