A British soldier has been killed in action in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The servicemen, who has not been named, was shot during an operation to clear a Taliban compound in the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, early on Wednesday morning.

The company came under fire and the soldier was shot.

He was taken to an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) patrol base. From there he was flown by helicopter to Camp Bastion for medical treatment where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

He was a member of the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters. Next of kin have been informed.

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