At 0600hrs local time, a routine patrol conducting reassurance and interdiction activities left Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gibraltar and at 0847hrs local time encountered enemy forces and engaged them.
A short while later the patrol reported one casualty from the engagement who was seriously wounded by a blast. The injured soldier was airlifted from the scene to the Joint Force Medical Facility at Camp Bastion, but sadly, despite the efforts of the medical response team, he died of his injuries in flight.
Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Reynolds, said:
"Everyone in Task Force Helmand is affected by the death of a soldier, and the thoughts and sympathies of us all are with the family at this most difficult time."
The next of kin have been informed, and have requested a period of 24 hours before further details are released.