By IRNA,
London : A British soldier has died after being seriously injured in a blast in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence announced Wednesday.
The soldier, who was on routine patrol in Helmand province, is the fourth British fatality in the past week and the 17th to be killed in the last two month.
Overall, 114 British servicemen have lost their lives in Afghanistan since US-led military operations began in November 2001, but all by seven have been killed after the UK started to send troops to Helmand in 2006.
The MoD said that the latest casualty suffered serious injuries from an explosion during a clash with Taliban insurgents on Tuesday.
The solider, who has yet to be named, was airlifted out to receive medical treatment but died during the flight.
The rising casualties come as a parliamentary report Wednesday warned that Britain’s armed forces are operating at an unprecedented level and lack of resources due to fighting simultaneously on two- fronts at the same time in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Defence Select Committee said that the number of trained military personnel joining the frontline was falling while the number leaving the armed forces early is increasing.