London: A British soldier has died in a grenade attack while out on foot patrol in Afghanistan, officials have said.
The soldier, from the Household Cavalry Regiment, died on Friday in Sangin, Helmand Province.
His death was not connected to Operation Moshtarak, a major offensive in Helmand`s Marjah region aimed at breaking the grip of the Taliban and drug cartels.
"A British soldier from the Household Cavalry Regiment, serving as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, was killed in Sangin this afternoon," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield said yesterday.
"He was on a BRF foot patrol operating about three kilometres to the south of Sangin district centre when he was fatally wounded by a grenade thrown from behind a wall."
The death takes to 277 the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 and comes the day after heir to the throne Prince Charles visited forces in Afghanistan.
A total of 32 British troops have been killed this year. Britain has around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, largely battling Taliban militants in Helmand.
The dead man`s family have been informed.
PTI
