A soldier from 1st Battalion The Rifles, based at Beachley Barracks near Chepstow, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday (23rd May).

The soldier, who has not been named, was killed by an improvised explosive device while on a patrol in the Sayedabad Kalay area of the Nahr-e Saraj (South) district of Helmand province.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick, said: "It is with much regret that I have to inform you of the death of a soldier from 1st Battalion The Rifles in the Sayedabad Kalay area of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province.

"The soldier was part of a foot patrol which had been deployed to meet and talk to the local people.

"The patrol had left their base and was moving to rendezvous with another patrol when the soldier was fatally struck by an improvised explosive device.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

The soldier's next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.