THE Colchester-based soldier who died yesterday in Afghanistan may have been the victim of a ‘friendly fire’ incident, says the Ministry of Defence.
The soldier, from the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, died in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand province.
MoD officials confirmed this afternoon that a full investigation is underway into the incident.
A spokesman said: “Further to the announcement of the death of a soldier from 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment in Nad e-Ali yesterday, initial reports suggest that the death was caused as a result of a ‘friendly fire’ incident.
“The incident will be the subject of a full investigation however first reports indicate that an attack on an insurgent position by a US aircraft, requested by and agreed with British Forces on the ground, may have been the cause.
“The investigation is ongoing and as such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
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