British soldier killed in Afghan insider attack

A British soldier died on Sunday during an insider attack at his base in Afghanistan's restive Helmand Province, the Ministry of Defence announced. "I am very sorry to report the death of a soldier from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland who was shot by an individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform at his base in the Nad-e Ali district," said Laurence Roche, spokesman for Task Force Helmand. "This is incredibly sad news for the Battalion and everyone serving in Task Force Helmand," he added. "As we mark Remembrance this weekend, our thoughts now turn to the soldier's family and friends whose loss is so much greater than ours". The death brings to 438 the number of British troops killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. Of these, at least 395 were killed as a result of hostile action. The killing is the latest in a series of "green on blue" attacks that have seriously undermined trust between NATO forces and their Afghan allies in the fight against Taliban hardline Islamist insurgents.