Another British soldier killed in Afghanistan, toll 196

London, Aug. 9 (ANI): A British soldier, from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment, was killed by an explosion in Helmand Province of Afghanistan, taking the death toll in Afghanistan since 2001 to 196.

According to reports, the soldier was on foot patrol at the time, and was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

"Each and every loss that we sustain in Helmand sends reverberations throughout the brigade. Today, we mourn the loss of a soldier who died working to make Afghanistan a better place. He was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, displaying bravery that was second to none," The Telegraph quoted Lieutenant Colonel Mark Wenham, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, as saying.

"Our thoughts are with his family and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences at this tragic time," he added.

Already five British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan this month, it follows the record 22 fatalities in July.

The death comes two days after three Paras, Corporal Kevin Mulligan, Lance Corporal Dale Hopkins and Private Kyle Adams, were killed in southern Afghanistan.

The three were working with special forces at the time, and were carrying out a routine security patrol with Afghan forces.

A fourth member of the patrol injured in Thursday's blast remained in a critical condition. (ANI)