Helmand, April 10: A British soldier has died of injuries he sustained in Afghanistan nearly a year ago as the US-led forces continue to experience some of their deadliest days in the country.
The soldier was struck by a roadside bomb explosion while on foot patrol in the troubled Helmand Province on April 13 last year.
He was shifted to a hospital in England and had gone under complicated surgical procedures.
The soldier collapsed and died suddenly at his home west of Edinburgh on March 31st, 2011.
The post mortem has found that his death was directly attributable to the injuries he suffered on April 13 l last year in southern Afghanistan.
“I was deeply saddened to hear the news that Colour Sergeant Alan Cameron had died of his wounds particularly after he had battled so bravely to return to full health,” British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said.
His death brings to 363 the number of British troops killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. Of these, at least 318 were killed through hostile action.
Britain has about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan — making it the second-largest contributor to the Afghan war after the US.
British troops are based in Helmand Province, which has been a hotbed of Taliban militancy since the onset of the war.
According to official figures, at least 2,400 NATO soldiers have been killed since the US-led invasion.
Several NATO member states are demanding an immediate draw-down of troops under pressure from public opinion.
——–Agencies