A British soldier today became the sixth serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan in the past four weeks.
He was taking part in a foot patrol in Sangin town, in the troubled southern province of Helmand, at 11.30am British time when his unit came under attack from Taliban forces.
The soldier, who has not been named, died in the resulting firefight between the rebels and members of 3 Para Battle Group.
He is the latest victim of persistent attacks on the 3,300 British troops deployed to the south of Afghanistan to help rebuilding and to tackle terrorism and heroin cultivation.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm that during the incident a British soldier has been killed.
"We are currently in the process of informing next of kin and cannot comment further until that process is complete."
Today's death follows the loss of two British servicemen in Helmand at the weekend.
Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi, 24, from Birmingham, the first British Muslim soldier killed in the "war on terror", and Corporal Peter Thorpe, 27, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, died following an attack in Sangin on Saturday.
L/Cpl Hashmi was serving with the Intelligence Corps, attached to the Royal Signals, and Cpl Thorpe was with the Royal Signals.
Captain David Patten, 38, and Sergeant Paul Bartlett, 35, both believed to be special forces troops, were killed in the Sangin valley on June 27 when their patrol was caught in a gun battle with Taliban militia.
One further soldier was seriously wounded in the incident, but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
Captain Jim Philippson, 29, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, of 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, died in a firefight with rebels on June 11.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Tony Blair promised to provide more resources for the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
He told the Commons at Question Time that no request had yet been made by commanders on the ground for more troops or logistics.
"If they need more, we will make sure that they get more," he said.
Mr Blair also joined Tory leader David Cameron in praising the work done by British troops, hailing their "extraordinary and heroic job" and insisting the mission was vital to security in Afghanistan and the wider world.
PA