British soldier killed in attack on patrol in Iraq

British soldiers stand guard near a road after a roadside bomb attack targeting their patrol in Basra, in this July 16, 2006 file picture. A British soldier died on Sunday after an attack on a patrol in Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said.

LONDON (Reuters) - A British soldier died on Sunday after an attack on a patrol in Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said.

The unidentified soldier, from the 2nd battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died of gunshot wounds suffered in the attack, the ministry said in a statement.

"Next of kin have been informed and they have requested a period of 24 hours before further details are released," it said.

It brings to 135 the number of British soldiers killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. More than 3,200 U.S. soldiers have been killed.

At least 60,000 Iraqi civilians have died, according to a web site run by academics and peace activists.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said in February Britain would cut its troop levels in Iraq from 7,100 to about 5,500 in the coming months, but British soldiers would stay in the country into 2008, for as long as they were wanted.