The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

A British soldier who died in an explosion while serving with NATO-led troops in Afghanistan is expected to be named on Thursday.

The soldier, from D Squadron Household Cavalry Regiment, was killed while on routine patrol about 23 kilometres (14 miles) north of Forward Operating Base Delhi in Helmand province, in the south of the country on Wednesday.

He was the 121st British fatality in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in 2001, the ministry said.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss and our thoughts are with his family and his Unit at this tragic time," said forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Woody Page, adding that the soldier's next of kin had been informed.

Helmand, the main source of Afghanistan's opium output, is in the grip of a Taliban-insurgency launched after it was toppled from government in a US-led invasion in late 2001.

Britain has 7,800 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US-led operations.