Afghanistan/UK — Soldier from Royal Dragoon Guards killed in Afghanistan

It is with sad­ness that the Min­istry of Defence must announce that a sol­dier from The Roy­al Dra­goon Guards, serv­ing as part of Com­bined Force Nahr‑e Saraj (South), was killed in Afghanistan today, Mon­day 5 July 2010.

Min­istry of Defence Source: Min­istry of Defence, UK Click to enlarge

The sol­dier was killed in an explo­sion while on a vehi­cle patrol in the Nahr‑e Saraj dis­trict of Hel­mand province this morning. 

Spokesman for Task Force Hel­mand, Lieu­tenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, said: 

“It is with deep sad­ness I must inform you that a sol­dier from The Roy­al Dra­goon Guards was killed this morn­ing in south­ern Nahr‑e Saraj, Hel­mand province. 

“He was attached to the 1st Bat­tal­ion The Roy­al Gurkha Rifles Bat­tle Group. He was part of a screen­ing force that was pro­vid­ing pro­tec­tion to enable the build­ing of a road in the Baba­ji area, such that local Afghans could move more freely, when he was struck by an explosion. 

“He died in the course of his duty and among his fel­low sol­diers. His courage and sac­ri­fice will not be for­got­ten. We will remem­ber him.” 

Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a peri­od of grace before fur­ther details are released. 

Press release
Min­istry of Defence, UK