Monday 6 June 2011 08.08 BST
- Article history
A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The soldier, from the 1st Battalion The Rifles, was killed by an improvised explosive device on Sunday while on patrol in the Haji Kareen area of the Nahr-e Saraj (South) District of Helmand province.
The death is the third announced in three days by the MoD.
A Royal Marine, from 42 Commando Royal Marines, was shot dead on Sunday morning on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj area, while Corporal Michael Pike, 26, from Huntly, Scotland, was fatally wounded by insurgents who attacked his patrol with guns and rocket-propelled grenades in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand on Friday.
Spokesman for Taskforce Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick, said: "It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the death of a soldier from 1st Battalion The Rifles in the Haji Kareen area of the Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province.
"The soldier was part of a foot patrol, supporting an Afghan National Security Forces operation to clear one of the last remaining insurgent safe havens in Central Helmand, when he was fatally wounded by an improvised explosive device.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
"The family have been informed and have requested a 24-hour period before further details are released."
The latest incident brings the total number of UK military personnel who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 371.
Cpl Pike died saving the lives of his comrades as he took on the enemy in a firefight, his men said.
His friends and colleagues, from 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said he was killed "putting up a fight" and "saving the lives of the men he was devoted to".
They said the father-of-two was the epitome of a Highland soldier and would not have wanted his fellow soldiers to dwell on his loss.
Cpl Pike, described as a "loving and caring family man", leaves behind a wife, Ida, and two children, Joshua and Evelynn.
His wife said: "My husband would want everybody to know that he died doing a job he loved and that he loved our children with all his heart and soul."
Cpl Pike, second in command of 2 Platoon, A Company, based at Check Point Pegasus, was on his second tour of Afghanistan.
He was leading the patrol in the area of Pupalzay along Highway 601 when it came under attack.
He fired back on the enemy and his colleagues praised his quick reactions which allowed them time to move out of danger.
His platoon said in a joint statement: "He passed away doing the job he loved but he didn't go down without putting up a fight.
"He was suppressing the enemy in order to cover the lead wagon, the ground call sign and to allow other call signs to manoeuvre out of immediate danger."
And Lieutenant Robert Grant, 2 Platoon Commander, A Company, said: "The loss of Corporal Pike, one of the funniest, most life-affirming and professionally diligent men I have ever had the privilege to meet, strikes deep in to the heart and soul of all those who knew him.
"An exceptional soldier and inspirational leader, Corporal Pike will be forever missed.
"His death, saving the lives of the men he was devoted to, marks the tragic end of a life that has touched so many, so deeply that it seems almost unreal."
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