A PARATROOPER has been killed and two injured following a firefight in Afghanistan.

A British soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, based in Colchester, was killed by a suspected improvised bomb yesterday evening.

The two injured soldiers were rushed to the Camp Bastion medical facilities and their injuries are not life-threatening.

A Ministry of Defence statement said a routine patrol came under enemy fire at around 6.18pm yesterday.

“Whilst returning fire one soldier from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was injured by a mine,” it said.

“While leaving the scene after suppressing the enemy, a vehicle in which other soldiers were travelling hit a suspected Improvised Explosive Device.

“One soldier from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was injured and one soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers sustained serious injuries.

“The soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, despite the best medical efforts at the scene, died a few minutes later.

“The next of kin of all three soldiers have been informed and have requested a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released.”

The soldier is the ninth to be killed whilst serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan in the last two months.