The number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan rose to 251 yesterday.
A soldier, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed by an explosion while on foot patrol in an area recently "made safe".
Lt Col David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It happened in the 'Green Zone' to the south of Sangin district centre where until recently insurgents held sway." Green Zones are supposed to be areas not under the control of insurgents. His death took the number of servicemen and women killed to just four below the number who died in the Falklands War of 1982.
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Fellow rifleman Peter Aldridge, 19, of A Company 4 Rifles, was on his first tour of duty when he died in an explosion near Sangin on Friday. It emerged the teenager's last words were to tell his mother he loved her. In a statement, Peter's family, from Folkestone, Kent, said: "Our son died a hero, he lost his life doing what he believed in. Peter said, 'If I'm going to die I want to die a soldier'."
It added: "We love you sweet pea. Swift and Bold Forever." His CO Lt Colonel Rupert Jones, said Rfn Aldridge was a "natural leader" in his platoon.
Wage fit for Heroes: Page 8
A soldier from , Britain died yesterday in Afghanistan's  province. The incident occurred when the soldier (who belongs to ) was on foot patrol, and takes the death toll in the conflict to 251, which is four short of the number who died during the Falklands war in 1982.

The soldier, whose name has not yet been released by the UK Ministry of Defence, died due to the wounds incurred when the bomb exploded in the southern part of Sangin, Helmand. Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesperson for Task Force Helmand, stated: "He was part of the operations that have been bringing security to the local population. It happened in the 'green zone' south of Sangin district centre."

He further added that "he the soldier was on a foot patrol as part of the operations that have been bringing security to the local population in that area." The soldier's family has been informed about the former's death.

Earlier, Peter Aldridge, aged 19, belonging to A Company 4 Rifles, died after a blast in the same place. The teenager's final words were to express his love for his mother. His family said that their son died a hero and had lost his life "doing what he believed in." According to them, Peter had earlier stated: "If I'm going to die I want to die a soldier."