Army bomb expert killed in Afghanistan blast

The soldier, from 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Royal Engineers, died from wounds suffered in the blast near Patrol Base Blenheim, near Sangin, in Helmand Province, on Wednesday

afternoon. His family has been told.

It is understood he was part of a patrol conducting controlled explosions to help reduce the threat from IEDs.

His death took the number of British service personnel who have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 to 245, including 108 in 2009 – the bloodiest 12 months for British forces since the 1982 Falklands War.

The latest victim was from the same regiment as Cpl Loren Marlton-Thomas, 28, who died after a roadside bomb exploded while he was clearing a route in Helmand Province on November 15.

About three-quarters of the British deaths in Afghanistan last year were thought to have been caused by insurgent IEDs.

A spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Wakefield,said: "He was part of the counter-IED taskforce, leading the fight against the improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand.

"His sacrifice and his courage will not be forgotten."

IEDs strike suddenly and without warning, and British troops have been hit particularly hard because nearly all of them are based in Helmand, a Taliban stronghold and major centre of opium production which is the most dangerous province in the country.

Speaking last month, one expert said the growing complexity of the IEDs used in Afghanistan suggested that the Taliban was getting help from either state sponsors or – more likely – experienced Islamist insurgents who have fought in places like Iraq or Chechnya.

Dr Tim Bird, a lecturer in the defence studies department of King's College London, said: "Initially, when we moved into Helmand in 2006, the Taliban were keen and eager to have pitched battles.

"They learned quickly that's not the best way to tackle a modern military and switched to IEDs, which hugely raised the death toll."

The Prime Minister last month confirmed a 150m package to tackle roadside bombs in Aghanistan as he warned of more "hard fighting" ahead.

In a statement to MPs, Gordon Brown announced an extra 10m in urgent funding was being allocated for handheld mine detectors.