British Soldier Dies After Afghanistan Blast

A British soldier wounded in an explosion in southern Afghanistan last week has died of his wounds in hospital in Birmingham.

The soldier from 33 Engineer Regiment was flown back to the UK after being seriously injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on April 11, the Ministry of Defence has said.

He died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and his family have been told.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Ian Lawrence, said: "It is with a deep sense of regret that I must confirm the death of a soldier from 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) who died of wounds sustained in an IED strike on 11 April 2012.

"The thoughts and sincere condolences of the entire Task Force are with his family and friends."

A total of 409 members of UK forces have died in Afghanistan since operations began in October 2001.

The latest death comes less than two weeks after Corporal Jack Stanley from The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) died at the hospital of injuries he sustained in another attack.