Killed UK Afghan soldier is named

The total number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan stands at 374

A British soldier killed on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, has been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Private Gareth Bellingham, of 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was shot while on patrol on Saturday.

His death came shortly after two other soldiers, who died in separate incidents on Thursday, were named as Corporal Lloyd Newell and Craftsman Andrew Found.

The total number of service personnel killed in Afghanistan stands at 374.

On Saturday, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col Tim Purbrick, said Private Bellingham was part of the protective cordon guarding a meeting between the Afghan National Army and people who had recently reoccupied the Haji Tor Aga Kalay area in the Nahr-e Saraj District.

He said insurgents with “engaged them with small arms fire during which he was fatally wounded. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

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