British soldier killed in Afghanistan in new attack

A British soldier has been shot dead in what seems to be an ‘insider attack’ in Afghanistan...

15:45 08 January 2013

Another soldier has died as a result of a suspected ‘insider attack’ in the Helmand area of Afghanistan. The shooting happened on Monday at Patrol Base Hazrat, which is in the Nahr-e Saraj region.

The Brit, who was linked with the 21 Engineer Regiment, was shot dead by an alleged rogue officer thought to belong to the Afghan National Army, according to officials.

It is believed that the shooter targeted local forces as well as foreign soldiers in what could be the latest ‘green-on-blue’ attack. This relates to attacks being carried out by Afghanistan soldiers on joined forces in the area.

The news comes as the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, is due to arrive in America on Tuesday. Based on reports, there may be talks regarding the presence of the US in Afghanistan.

Major Laurence Roche, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “It is my painful duty to report the death of a soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, who was shot and killed by a suspected member of the Afghan National Army at a patrol base in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

“This is an extremely sad day for the Corps of Royal Engineers and everyone serving with Task Force Helmand. Our thoughts are with the soldier's family and friends at this time.”

It is understood that the Taliban are claiming the shooter was linked to them, although there have been false declarations made by claimants in the past.

Foreign soldiers are expected to be pulled out of Afghanistan by late 2014.

The figure for the number of UK people to have died in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 439.