A SOLDIER from the 33 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, which is based at the Carver Barracks in Wimbish, has died in Afghanistan. The soldier was killed by a blast in Gereshk, in Helmand province, on Sunday (November 15) afternoon, the Ministry of Defe

A SOLDIER from the 33 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, which is based at the Carver Barracks in Wimbish, has died in Afghanistan.

The soldier was killed by a blast in Gereshk, in Helmand province, on Sunday (November 15) afternoon, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

Task Force Helmand spokesman, Lt Col David Wakefield, said that the serviceman had been part of the counter-IED task force.

"His courage and the sacrifice made by him in the fight against improvised explosive devices in Helmand will not be forgotten," he said.

Next of kin have been informed and they have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

The UK forces death toll in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 234. Of these, 97 have occurred this year.

The soldiers based at the barracks near Saffron Walden are specialists in bomb disposal.