A SOLDIER from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment was shot dead during a firefight in southern Afghanistan.

The soldier, from the North West regiment’s 2nd Battalion, was killed as a result of small arms fire in the Musa Qala area on Sunday night.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said: “It is my sad duty to have to inform you that a soldier from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, was killed by small arms fire yesterday evening near Patrol Base Minden in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province. He was on a patrol after dark and was shot during a firefight.

“He died a soldier, doing his duty and among his fellow soldiers; his sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

His next of kin have been informed.

Earlier it was confirmed Rifleman Mark Marshall, 29, of 6 Rifles, a Police Community Support Officer, died in Sangin, Helmand.

His mother, Lynn Marshall, described him as a “beloved son” who “lived life to the full”.

And last night the MoD announced a third soldier had died near Sangin while dealing with a roadside bomb.

None of the three fatalities are related to the ongoing assault of Operation Moshtarak.

A total of 261 British service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001. Rifleman Marshall, from Exeter, leaves behind his mother, girlfriend, brother and sister.

Mrs Marshall said: “I am hugely proud of my dear and beloved son; he lived life to the full and will be sorely missed by all.”

Gordon Brown said troops engaged in fighting in Afghanistan were doing all they could to stop innocent Afghans being killed – but civilian causalities continued to grow. Twelve were killed on Sunday when two rockets missed their target and last night it was announced another three had died after being caught up in Operation Moshtarak.

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup called the rocket incident a “very serious setback” to the operation.