KABUL: A British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan, officials said on Monday, as thousands of US-led troops pressed a massive offensive against militants.

The soldier was part of Operation Mushtarak, a campaign launched Saturday involving 15,000 troops which aims to clear militants from the Marjah and Nad Ali districts in central Helmand River valley.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) initially confirmed a soldier had died after coming under small-arms fire in southern Afghanistan Sunday.

The Ministry of Defence later said the soldier was British.

"He was on a patrol after dark and was shot during a fire-fight," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield said.

"He died a soldier, doing his duty and among his fellow soldiers; his sacrifice will not be forgotten," said the spokesman.

The family of the soldier, who died in the Musa Qaleh district of the southern Helmand Province and has not yet been identified, has been informed. 

Source: Agencies