UK soldier dies from injuries sustained in Iraq

LONDON (Reuters) - A British soldier died on Sunday from injuries sustained in an attack in southern Iraq last week, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier from the Royal Logistic Corps was seriously injured in a roadside bomb attack in Basra on Thursday.

He was travelling in a heavy equipment transporter on the way to a British military base in the city when it was hit by what was described as an "improvised explosive device."

The soldier had been flown back to Britain for treatment but died from his injuries on Sunday afternoon.

Analysts say that with British troops poised to begin reducing their 7,000-strong force in Basra to about 5,500 by the beginning of June, Shi'ite militias are increasing their attacks so that they can claim victory when they eventually pull out.

A total of 148 British troops have died in the Iraq campaign since the 2003 invasion.