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| UK soldier killed on patrol in Afghanistan | UK soldier killed on patrol in Afghanistan |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier has been killed by enemy fire while on patrol in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. | |
| The soldier from 14 Signals Regiment had been on patrol in Helmand Province when he was killed. | The soldier from 14 Signals Regiment had been on patrol in Helmand Province when he was killed. |
| A spokesman said the soldier was "the brightest and the best" who had "died defending his comrades". | A spokesman said the soldier was "the brightest and the best" who had "died defending his comrades". |
| His death brings the number of UK service personnel who have died in Afghanistan since 2001 to 445. | |
| The serviceman's next of kin have been informed. | The serviceman's next of kin have been informed. |
| 'Fantastic soldier' | |
| He died at the scene, despite receiving "immediate medical attention" after coming under enemy fire in the area of Kakaran, north east of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, the MoD said. | |
| Spokesman for Task Force Helmand Lt Col Hywel Lewis said: "A fantastic soldier has tragically died defending his comrades. He was the brightest and the best. | |
| "Those who served alongside him were privileged and feel his loss most deeply. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time." | |
| According to the Army's website, the role of the 14 Signals Regiment (Electronic Warfare) - who are based at Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire - includes attacking targets by jamming electronic systems and preventing them from working properly. | |
| British troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, when all Nato combat operations are due to finish, although a small number will remain in support roles. | |
| The number of British troops in Afghanistan was reduced to 9,000 before the end of 2012 and is set to fall to 5,200 by the end of 2013. | |
| British troops are now placed at five bases - down from a peak of more than 130 - and rarely go on patrol. |