THE 10th Colchester-based soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence confirmed tonight.

THE tenth Colchester-based soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence confirmed tonight.

The soldier, from the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was part of a routine patrol in Helmand Province which encountered Taliban forces this morning.

In the ensuing firefight the 2 Para soldier was shot in the head and killed instantly. Next-of-kin have been informed.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Reynolds said: "Until you have experienced the death of a family member it is hard to absorb the pain that this soldier's family, friends and comrades feel.

“His family are in the thoughts of everyone in Task Force Helmand and hopefully that will bring some comfort to them.”

Ten Colchester-based soldiers - eight of them Paras - have been killed in Afghanistan since the latest six month tour began.