UK soldier dies in Afghanistan

A BRITISH soldier has died in a New Year's Day explosion in southern Afghanistan in the second UK fatality in two days, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The soldier, from the 6th Battalion The Rifles, was on a routine patrol in the Garmsir district, in Helmand province, when he died in the blast yesterday afternoon.

His death is the 138th British fatality since the start of operations in October 2001 and, in a bleak start to the year, comes only a day after the loss of Royal Marine Liam Elms in Helmand's Sangin province.

The double fatality will heighten concerns about the increasing death toll in Afghanistan over recent months amid claims by some observers that the Taliban and criminal gangs are growing in strength in many areas of the country.

It will also place renewed pressure on Gordon Brown, who is expected to face a request from incoming US President Barack Obama to substantially raise British troop numbers in Afghanistan over the coming year in an attempt to bolster security.

Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for the military's Task Force Helmand, said: "It is deeply saddening to confirm the loss of a British soldier who died whilst helping to provide security in southern Helmand.

"His family, friends and all those who knew and worked with him will mourn his loss. Our heartfelt sympathies go to them all at this terrible time."