Naming of Afghanistan death soldier

7:39am Thursday 16th October 2008

A British soldier who died in an explosion in southern Afghanistan is expected to be named.

The serviceman, from D Squadron of the Household Cavalry Regiment, was killed on Wednesday afternoon following the blast during a routine patrol in Helmand Province.

Next of kin have been informed.

It brings the number of British service personnel killed in the country since operations began in October 2001 to 121.

Lieutenant Colonel Woody Page, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "We are deeply saddened by this loss and our thoughts are with his family and his unit at this tragic time".

The Household Cavalry play a supporting role to the main battle groups in Helmand Province.

It is believed that the latest death is the third suffered by the regiment during the Afghanistan conflict.