British Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

The soldier was killed while on patrol in the Kajaki area of Helmand province.

The soldier from 45 Commando Royal Marines was killed while on patrol in the Kajaki area of Helmand province. He is the 126th British army soldier to die in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban.

"The tragic death of this Royal Marine has left everyone in Task Force Helmand immensely saddened," said spokeswoman Commander Paula Rowe.

Britain has about 8,000 troops in Afghanistan, the second-largest contributor of foreign forces in the country after the United States, many based in Helmand where they are engaged in fierce fighting with resurgent Taliban fighters.

U.S. officials said on Saturday that the Pentagon was considering a plan to send more than 20,000 troops to Afghanistan over the next 12 to 18 months to help safeguard elections and quell rising Taliban violence.