British soldier killed in Afghanistan

A Chinook helicopter lands to pick up British soldiers after a mission in Nowzad, Afghanistan, in this handout picture taken July 30, 2006. A British soldier was killed in fighting with militants in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

LONDON (Reuters) - A British soldier was killed in fighting with militants in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

A spokesman for the ministry had no further details but said the next-of-kin of the soldier had been informed.

British troops, part of a NATO-led coalition, have launched a large-scale operation against Afghan militants, including the Taliban, in the south of the country, partly to pre-empt a threatened offensive by the insurgents.