07/06/2007

British soldier killed in Iraq

A British soldier has been killed in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The soldier, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was part of a patrol conducting a search and detention operation in the Al Atiyah district, north west of Basra City, around 2:20am local time, when he was shot by small arms fire.

The soldier was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital at the British base at Basra Air Station, but he died just over an hour later.

Three other soldiers from the Multi Nationals Forces were injured during the operation, but their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The soldier's death comes the day after a soldier from 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters was killed in southern Afghanistan.

The soldier, who has not yet been named, was killed around 6:45am local time on Wednesday while taking part in an offensive patrol with his company, aimed at disrupting Taliban forces in the Upper Gereshk Valley area of Helmand Province.

The company was moving forward to clear a Taliban compound when they came under fire and the soldier was shot.

He was taken to an International Security Assistance Force patrol base and was flown by helicopter to Camp Bastion for medical treatment, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

(KMcA/JM)


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